Trump says U.S. killed Tren de Aragua leader in airstrike in Venezuela

Updated on: June 12, 2026 / 11:36 PM EDT / CBS News

Trump says U.S. killed Tren de Aragua leader in airstrike in Venezuela

TL;DR

  • U.S. Southern Command carried out a strike killing Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, the alleged leader of Tren de Aragua.
  • The operation was coordinated with the Venezuelan government.
  • Guerrero Flores was indicted on charges including racketeering, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and cocaine conspiracy.
  • Tren de Aragua has grown from a Venezuelan prison gang to a transnational organization.
  • The strike occurred five months after the U.S. military removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.