13th June 2026 – (Washington) President Donald Trump has confirmed that a targeted U.S. military operation has resulted in the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alleged leader of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. Describing the action as “swift and lethal”, Mr Trump said the strike was carried out with assistance from Venezuelan authorities.
Tren de Aragua, which originated in Venezuela, has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United States. Guerrero Flores had previously been charged in a federal court in New York with racketeering conspiracy and a range of serious offences, including allegedly providing material support to terrorist activities linked to a criminal network operating for more than a decade.
At the time of the indictment, US Attorney Jay Clayton accused the group of orchestrating widespread violence, extortion and drug trafficking across North America, South America and Europe. The US State Department had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero Flores’ capture.
