Trump claims US military killed Venezuelan gang leader

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that the US military had carried out a strike that killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, better known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organisation.

In a post on Truth Social sharing the video of the strike, Trump said: "At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero, the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth."

Trump said the operation had been conducted in coordination with Venezuelan authorities. "This action was coordinated closely with our friends in Venezuela, with whom we are working very well," he said.

The US president did not specify when the strike took place, and neither the White House, the Pentagon nor US Southern Command immediately responded to requests for additional details. Venezuela's information ministry also did not immediately comment on the announcement.

Guerrero has long been a top target of US authorities. The Trump administration has repeatedly sanctioned Guerrero and other leaders of Tren de Aragua over alleged involvement in drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and other criminal activities. The State Department has designated the gang a foreign terrorist organisation.

In his lengthy statement, Trump linked the operation to his broader immigration and anti-crime agenda, while attacking his predecessor Joe Biden. "Before I returned to office, Joe Biden opened our Southern Border to millions of Illegal Criminals, and allowed this foreign army to rape, maim, and murder American Citizens with total impunity. During my Campaign, I pledged to expel these monsters from our Country, and bring Justice to the families of those they slaughtered, including the precious 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, 22-year-old Laken Reilly, and countless other beautiful souls. "

"With this action, the United States Military has brought retribution for them, their families, and their loved ones."

Trump also pointed to measures his administration has taken against the gang and other criminal organisations. "Early in my Administration, I delivered on my promise to designate Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, deport thousands of evil criminals, and wage war against the Cartels, who have long been waging war against our Citizens, while weak leaders left America helpless and defensive."

He further said: "As a result, Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else and, under my leadership, we will find these vicious murderers and drugs lords anytime, anyplace, and send them to the depths of hell where they belong. GOD BLESS AMERICA! President DONALD J. TRUMP"

The Trump administration has previously alleged that Tren de Aragua coordinated some of its activities in the United States with the government of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. The administration has cited those claims while defending the deportation of some immigrants to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.

As of Friday evening, US officials had not released independent details about the reported strike or provided evidence confirming Guerrero's death.