President Donald Trump announced that a US military strike has killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, the leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, which has been labeled a terrorist organization by the United States. The strike occurred in Venezuela, where the gang has been involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion.

Background on Tren de Aragua

Tren de Aragua originated over a decade ago in a lawless prison in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua. The gang has expanded in recent years, with millions of Venezuelans migrating to other Latin American countries or the US in search of better living conditions. Guerrero Flores, also known as ‘Niño Guerrero,’ was charged in a New York federal court with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes.

The US State Department had offered rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero Flores’ arrest. The strike that killed him is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on immigration and crime, which has been a key issue in Trump’s campaign for a second term.

International Cooperation

The operation that killed Guerrero Flores was a joint effort between the US and Venezuelan governments. Venezuela’s government released a statement confirming its participation in the operation and revealing that it took place in the southeastern state of Bolivar. The mineral-rich state is home to large illegal mining operations, which have been controlled by gangs and other actors.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.