"Under my direction, Southern Command executed a swift strike and eliminated Nino Guerrero, the notorious leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organizations on Earth", US President Donald Trump announced on 12/6.
The video Trump posted showed a structure with a blue roof, located in a heavily wooded area. A projectile struck the building, causing a large explosion. It was not possible to observe if anyone was inside when the structure was hit.
He added that the attack was carried out by the US military in close coordination with "our friends in Venezuela with whom we are working effectively", seemingly referring to interim President Delcy Rodriguez. "As a result, Tren De Aragua terrorists no longer have a safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else", President Trump stated.
The US leader did not mention the location or exact time of the incident. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the attack occurred last week.
Venezuelan officials have not commented.
President Trump and US officials have repeatedly claimed Tren De Aragua is the root cause of the violence and drug trafficking rampant in some US cities. He also accused Tren De Aragua of operating under the control of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, though this information conflicts with declassified US intelligence assessments.
In january, the US military raided Caracas, arresting President Maduro to bring him to trial in the US on drug-related charges.
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Guerrero and other leaders of the Tren De Aragua gang, accusing them of involvement in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. The US Department of State also designated Tren De Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization.
 |
Nino Guerrero, leader of the Tren De Aragua drug gang. Photo: US Department of State |
The US military also conducted a series of strikes targeting boats suspected of transporting drugs to the US. At least 207 people have died in such attacks in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea since the Trump administration began targeting what it calls "drug terrorists" in september 2025.
According to Reuters news agency, Tren De Aragua is involved in human trafficking and controls routes used by migrants from Venezuela and other South American countries to travel to Chile, a relatively prosperous nation, as well as many locations in South America and Europe.
Latin American police agencies report the gang is also linked to extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, contract killings, smuggling, and organized retail theft from Panama to Brazil and along the Andean corridor.
Guerrero escaped from Tocoron prison in Venezuela with other gang leaders just before a police raid in 2023.
Pham Giang (According to Reuters, AFP, AP)
