Former President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces conducted an airstrike resulting in the death of the leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social dated June 14, 2026, Trump stated that, under his direction, the United States Southern Command carried out a “swift and lethal kinetic strike” targeting the individual known as Niño Guerrero.

Tren de Aragua is a criminal gang recognized for its violent activities and its control over migrant corridors leading from South America to Europe. Trump described the group as “one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organisations on Planet,” emphasizing the threat it poses beyond the immediate region.

The strike was reportedly coordinated in collaboration with Venezuelan authorities, marking a significant cooperation between the two countries on countering transnational criminal networks. Details about the operation’s timing, location, and broader strategic objectives were not disclosed.

The announcement highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt organized criminal groups that operate across national borders and contribute to regional instability through violence, trafficking, and other illicit activities. Tren de Aragua has been linked to various criminal enterprises, including extortion, kidnapping, and human smuggling.

While the killing of Niño Guerrero may represent a tactical success for U.S. and Venezuelan security forces, the broader impact on the gang’s operations remains to be seen, given Tren de Aragua’s decentralized structure and entrenched presence in multiple countries.

No independent confirmation from U.S. or Venezuelan officials was immediately available, and further details about the operation have yet to be released.