US President Donald Trump announced the elimination of one of the most wanted criminals in Latin America — the leader of the Venezuelan organized crime group Tren de Aragua, Jose Antonio 'Nino' Guerrero. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Trump wrote about this on the social network Truth Social.
"By my order, the US Southern Command delivered a swift and deadly strike, resulting in the elimination of Nino Guerrero — the notorious leader of Tren de Aragua, one of the most brutal terrorist organizations on the planet. We will find these criminals anytime, anywhere and hold them accountable," Donald Trump said.
He called the strike "swift and deadly" and emphasized that the target of the operation was one of the key members of the group, which Washington considers involved in serious crimes, including drug trafficking and violence.
Trump also criticized the immigration policy of former President Joe Biden, claiming that under his rule, the southern border of the US was effectively open to "millions of illegal criminals."
According to Trump, this led to an increased threat from transnational criminal groups operating on US soil.
He stressed that the current authorities will continue active measures to identify and detain members of drug cartels and other criminal structures.
Hector Rastenfoor Guerrero Flores, known by the pseudonym "Nino Guerrero," is a Venezuelan drug trafficker and leader of the criminal group "Tren de Aragua." He was born on December 2, 1983, in the city of Maracay, Aragua state.
According to various sources, Guerrero is considered one of the key figures in the Venezuelan criminal world and is linked to the organization that originated in Tocoron prison and later spread its influence beyond the country.
In February 2018, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The court found him guilty on several serious charges, including murder, drug trafficking, identity theft, and possession and concealment of combat weapons.
In January 2026, Guerrero was named as a co-defendant in an indictment related to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. These materials became part of international investigations against the drug trafficking network operating in the region.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that on January 3, 2026, US special services detained Maduro in Caracas. He was accused of narco-terrorism and cocaine smuggling. Maduro did not admit guilt and considers himself the legitimate leader of the country. On the same day, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the new head of state, and the US officially recognized her.