On June 12, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) executed a strike that resulted in the death of Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as Niño Guerrero, who was identified as the leader of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. The U.S. Department of State had previously offered a reward of up to $5 million for Guerrero's arrest or conviction.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump criticized the Biden administration's border policies and reiterated his commitment to combating crime associated with foreign gangs. He stated that the military action was a form of retribution for victims of violence linked to the gang, including specific individuals.
Trump also noted that he had previously designated TdA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and claimed that the U.S. military's actions were coordinated with Venezuelan authorities. The Tren de Aragua, which originated as a prison gang in Venezuela, has evolved into a transnational criminal organization involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion. Guerrero was reported to have expanded the gang's influence while incarcerated and was involved in controlling prisons and drug routes in Venezuela and Colombia.