Trump says US military killed Venezuelan gang leader
Administration News — 2026-06-12 20:50:00 — thehill.com
Trump Claims U.S. Strike Killed Venezuelan Gang Leader in Social Media Post
President Trump announced late Friday that U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) launched a strike that killed the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that a “swift and lethal kinetic strike” killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero.
Trump’s Announcement
According to Trump, the U.S. military operation specifically targeted Guerrero Flores, the reputed leader of Tren de Aragua. Trump described the action as a decisive and forceful response, emphasizing the “swift and lethal” nature of the strike.
Fact-Checking the Claim
Trump’s statement directly attributes the killing of Guerrero Flores to a U.S. military operation under Southcom. The excerpt does not provide independent confirmation of the strike or details from official military sources. It is important to note that Trump’s announcement is presented as his own account via social media, without corroborating evidence within the provided excerpt.
Context and Implications
Tren de Aragua is recognized as a significant criminal organization in Venezuela, and its leader, Guerrero Flores, has been a high-profile target. Trump’s claim, if accurate, would represent a major development in U.S. efforts against transnational crime. However, the excerpt only includes Trump’s statement and does not verify the event or provide additional context from other officials or agencies.
Conclusion
President Trump’s assertion that U.S. Southern Command killed the leader of Tren de Aragua is a bold claim made directly on his Truth Social platform. As of the information provided, this statement stands as Trump’s own account, with no further verification or detail included in the excerpt. Readers should be aware that while Trump’s announcement is newsworthy, independent confirmation is necessary to fully assess the accuracy of his claim.
Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5922648-us-military-kills-venezuelan-gang-leader/