US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States military has successfully killed Hector Guerrero Flores, known as Nino Guerrero, who leads the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The operation was carried out by US Southern Command at Trump's direction, according to a statement posted on his Truth Social platform.

Trump characterised Tren de Aragua as "one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth" and said the strike represented retaliation for victims harmed by the group. He blamed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for border policies that he said enabled the criminal organisation to commit violence within the United States.

The American leader emphasised that the action was undertaken with close coordination from Venezuelan officials and stressed that the gang would no longer find sanctuary in Venezuela or elsewhere in the region. He also highlighted earlier enforcement measures, including designating the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and removing thousands of members from US territory.

Trump pledged to pursue any remaining members of the organisation across all locations and released what appeared to be footage of the military operation. He vowed that the United States would maintain its commitment to dismantling the group's operations.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed the military operation on the social platform X, noting that the action demonstrates joint commitment between Washington and Caracas to combat drug trafficking and deny criminal networks shelter in the Western Hemisphere. Hegseth indicated that the US intends to deepen security cooperation with Venezuela and partner nations in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.