Donald Trump revealed that the U.S. military successfully carried out an airstrike that killed the leader of the "Tren de Aragua," a major criminal organization, after this man expanded the group's influence across several countries.
On 13 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Donald Trump, President of the United States, disclosed on Truth Social that the U.S. military conducted an airstrike killing the leader of "Tren de Aragua," a Venezuelan criminal gang designated by the U.S. as a transnational terrorist organization.
“Under my orders, U.S. Southern Command launched a swift and decisive military strike that succeeded in killing 'Ninyo Guerrero,'” Trump's post stated.
Ninyo Guerrero, whose full name is Hector Rustenford Guerrero Flores, was the long-time leader controlling the gang. This gang is considered one of the most notorious criminal groups in Latin America and was a key target of the Trump administration.
Previously, the U.S. president accused this group of conducting a "hybrid war" against the United States and officially designated the gang as a transnational terrorist organization.
Additionally, Trump posted a video clip believed to show the airstrike, revealing a green building and adjacent structures being blown apart, with debris flying through the air.
Trump stated that the military operation was carried out "in close coordination with our allies in Venezuela, with whom we are cooperating effectively." Meanwhile, Venezuelan authorities confirmed their involvement in this "joint operation."
Under Guerrero's leadership, the Tren de Aragua gang expanded its influence into Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. It also diversified its criminal activities from extortion of business leaders to human trafficking for prostitution, contract killings, and kidnappings for ransom.
The U.S. State Department noted that the gang initially started as a prison gang before Ninyo Guerrero developed it into a "transnational criminal organization." The U.S. had previously offered a multi-million-dollar reward for information leading to his capture.
Guerrero lived a life of repeated imprisonment, escaping once in 2012 by bribing guards, only to be recaptured in 2013.
Upon his return to Tocoron prison in Aragua state, northern Venezuela, he transformed the facility into a full-service entertainment complex, including a zoo, restaurants, nightclubs, gambling tables, and a swimming pool.
Later, in September 2023, then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deployed over 11,000 troops to retake control of the prison. However, Guerrero managed to escape again before being killed in this recent operation.
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Source:bbc