ULTIMAS
Mundial 2026 y vacaciones de invierno: las vacunas clave antes de viajar Parkinson: cómo la enfermedad transforma la identidad y por qué el tratamiento debe ser integral Quimsa forcejeará un quinto partido tras vencer a Gimnasia en la final de la Liga Nacional Ancelotti acepta críticas tras el empate de Brasil: "No se gana un Mundial en el primer partido" María Julia Oliván denunció a Mario Pergolini por acoso sexual: el relato del episodio en Cuatro Cabezas El emotivo homenaje de Mirtha Legrand a María Rosa Fugazot: "Era una actriz maravillosa" Borges a 40 años de su muerte: Buenos Aires lo homenajea con festival literario iOS 27: 6 funciones exclusivas que sí funcionarán en tu iPhone 11 Riesgo país de Argentina cae a mínimo histórico desde 2018: ¿Qué puesto ocupa en América Latina? ¿Quién era "Niño Guerrero", el líder del Tren de Aragua abatido en operativo internacional? Mundial 2026 y vacaciones de invierno: las vacunas clave antes de viajar Parkinson: cómo la enfermedad transforma la identidad y por qué el tratamiento debe ser integral Quimsa forcejeará un quinto partido tras vencer a Gimnasia en la final de la Liga Nacional Ancelotti acepta críticas tras el empate de Brasil: "No se gana un Mundial en el primer partido" María Julia Oliván denunció a Mario Pergolini por acoso sexual: el relato del episodio en Cuatro Cabezas El emotivo homenaje de Mirtha Legrand a María Rosa Fugazot: "Era una actriz maravillosa" Borges a 40 años de su muerte: Buenos Aires lo homenajea con festival literario iOS 27: 6 funciones exclusivas que sí funcionarán en tu iPhone 11 Riesgo país de Argentina cae a mínimo histórico desde 2018: ¿Qué puesto ocupa en América Latina? ¿Quién era "Niño Guerrero", el líder del Tren de Aragua abatido en operativo internacional?
Español English 中文 Português Français Italiano Deutsch

Who Was "Niño Guerrero", the Tren de Aragua Leader Killed in International Operation?

14/06/2026 09:26 - Internacionales

Escena de operativo militar con helicópteros en zona selvática tropical, fuerzas especiales ejecutando una redada nocturna con iluminación táctica

A Historic Blow to Transnational Organized Crime

Donald Trump officially announced the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as "Niño Guerrero" (Warrior Child), the supreme leader of the Tren de Aragua (Aragua Train). The operation was executed during the week of June 8-12, 2026, in a coordinated action between the U.S. Southern Command and Venezuelan forces in Bolívar State, Venezuela.

Guerrero Flores had a $5 million USD bounty on his head for terrorism charges, filed in December 2025 by U.S. authorities. His death marks a turning point in the fight against this criminal organization.

Criminal Profile

  • Full Name: Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores
  • Alias: "Niño Guerrero"
  • Bounty: $5 million USD
  • Charges: Terrorism (December 2025)
  • Previous Prison: Tocorón (Venezuela)
  • Escape: Fled in 2023

International Presence

The Tren de Aragua operates in:

  • Venezuela (country of origin)
  • Colombia, Chile, Peru
  • Bolivia, Spain
  • United States

Chile: Presence confirmed in 14 of its 16 regions.

What is the Tren de Aragua?

The Tren de Aragua (Aragua Train) is a Venezuelan criminal organization that originated as a prison gang in Tocorón prison, located in Aragua state, and transformed into a transnational cartel with operations in at least 8 countries. It was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government due to its capacity to operate beyond Venezuelan borders.

The organization has expanded its illicit activities to countries such as Chile, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Spain, and the United States, engaging in drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, money laundering, and contract killing. In Chile, authorities confirmed their presence in 14 of the country's 16 regions.

Previous Operations Against the Organization

The action against "Niño Guerrero" adds to a series of international operations:

  • December 2025: CIA drone attack against Tren de Aragua facilities.
  • January 2026: Capture of Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela's President) for related crimes.
  • March 2026: Mass deportations to El Salvador of gang members.
  • March 2024: Arrest of "Niño Guerrero's" brother in Spain.

Operation Tokio in Chile

In parallel operations, Chile dismantled a money laundering network linked to the Tren de Aragua for an amount of $85 million USD. This operation demonstrated the financial capacity and international reach of the criminal organization.

Context of the Operation

The death of "Niño Guerrero" represents the most significant blow against this criminal organization in years. The joint operation between the United States and Venezuela sets an unprecedented precedent for bilateral cooperation on security matters, in the context of an international conflict that includes more than 3,700 deaths in Lebanon since March 2026.

Glossary for International Readers

  • Tocorón Prison: A Venezuelan prison in Aragua state that became a de facto headquarters for the Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
  • U.S. Southern Command: The combatant command responsible for U.S. military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
  • Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO): A designation by the U.S. State Department that allows for legal actions against the organization and its members.
  • Sicariato: A Spanish term for contract killing or hired assassination, a criminal activity commonly associated with Latin American cartels.

Sources: Official statements from Donald Trump, U.S. Southern Command, Venezuelan and Chilean authorities.

Noticias de Hoy