Trump: Venezuelan Drug Lord Niño Guerrero Killed

President Trump announced the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of the Venezuelan drug cartel Tren de Aragua. Trump shared a video on his social media platform, Truth Social, depicting an aerial view of a building followed by an explosion, though details on the timing and location of the operation were not provided. He described Tren de Aragua as one of the world's most bloodthirsty terrorist organizations and asserted that the action brought justice to its victims. The cartel originated in a Venezuelan prison and has expanded its criminal network across multiple countries. The U.S. designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization shortly after Trump's inauguration. Guerrero had previously escaped from a Venezuelan prison during a deadly riot in 2023, after which he had been at large.

The reported elimination of a major drug cartel leader signifies a significant development in international counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts.