U.S. airstrike kills Tren de Aragua leader Niño Guerrero

On June 13, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a U.S. Southern Command airstrike resulted in the death of Niño Guerrero, the leader of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua. The group, which originated in Venezuela and expanded its operations across Latin America, including Colombia, Peru, and Chile, has been designated as a terrorist organization by the current U.S. administration. President Trump stated that the military operation was coordinated with Venezuelan authorities. The criminal syndicate is accused of diverse illegal activities, including human trafficking, kidnapping, rape, drug smuggling, and murder. Trump noted that the strike removed a major figure from an organization he described as one of the most dangerous globally. He further pledged to pursue members of the group globally to eliminate their operational bases. No details regarding potential collateral damage or the specific location of the strike were provided beyond the mention of cooperation with Venezuelan partners.