The United States announced that Niño Guerrero, the head of Venezuela's violent Tren de Aragua cartel, was killed in a U.S. airstrike carried out with Venezuelan cooperation. The strike, described as a "swift and lethal kinetic strike," hit a green‑roofed building and was publicized by a declassified video. President Donald Trump hailed the operation on Truth Social, linking it to recent murders of U.S. citizens by the gang.

Declassified video shows green‑roofed building destroyed

The released footage depicts a large explosion demolishing a structure with a distinctive green roof, confirming the target location of the strike. According to the U.S. announcement, the blast successfully eliminated Niño Guerrero, who led Tren de Aragua, a group labeled by officials as one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organizations on the planet.

Trump ties strike to murders of Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Reilly

In his Truth Social post, President Trump honored the victims Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, and Laken Reilly, 22, both slain by gang members. He claimed the operation delivers retribution for their families and warned that the previous administration had "opened the U.S. Southern Border to millions of illegal criminals," allowing the gang to act with impunity.

Venezuelan authorities cooperate but remain silent publicly

The strike was executed "in coordination with the Venezuelan government," according to the U.S. statement, marking an unprecedented joint effort against a trannsnational criminal network. Despite the collaboration, the Venezuelan government has not issued an official comment, leaving the extent of its involvement unclear.

Open question: How will Tren de Aragua adapt after its leader's death?

Analysts note that removing a charismatic leader can fragment a cartel, but they also warn that successors may emerge quickly.. The source provides no details on a designated successor or on whether the gang's operational capabilities have been degraded beyond the loss of Niño Guerrero.

Broader pattern: U.S. targeting of Latin American criminal networks

This strike follows a series of U.S. actions against drug and crime syndicates in the region, including drone attacks on Colombian narco‑leaders and recent sanctions on Mexican cartels. As the U.S. Southern Command expands its kinetic options,the Tren de Aragua operation illustrates a shift toward direct military engagement alongside diplomatic pressure.