A US airstrike has killed the leader of Tren de Aragua, Venezuela’s most powerful criminal organisation, according to US officials. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, targeted Hector Guerrero, also known as “El Niño,” who had been the subject of a multi-year manhunt.
The strike, which took place in a remote region of Venezuela’s Amazonas state, represents a significant escalation in US counter-narcotics and anti-gang operations in Latin America. The State Department described Guerrero as the architect of a transnational criminal network responsible for drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling.
The Treasury Department had previously sanctioned the group, labelling it a “significant transnational criminal organisation.” Tren de Aragua has expanded its reach beyond Venezuela into Colombia, Peru, and Chile, with cells reportedly active in Europe.
UK counter-terror officials are monitoring the situation closely. A Home Office spokesperson said there was no immediate threat to the UK but acknowledged that the group’s international footprint required vigilance. The Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command is liaising with US and European partners.
The operation has drawn praise from the Venezuelan opposition, which has long called for international action against the group. However, the Maduro government condemned the strike as a violation of national sovereignty, warning of a potential diplomatic crisis.
Analysts note that while the killing of Guerrero deals a tactical blow, the structural conditions that allowed Tren de Aragua to flourish remain unchanged. Poverty, corruption, and weak institutions in Venezuela continue to provide fertile ground for organised crime.
The US has not released details on the munitions used or the number of civilian casualties. The Pentagon stated that the operation was conducted with precision and in compliance with international law.
