Thus United States joined with Venezuela in a joint strike targeting Tren de Aragua leader Niño Guerrero, marking a new era of cooperation in the wake of former dictator Nicolàs Maduro’s arrest. Trump shared details of the strike late on Friday evening — along with footage — touting the cooperation with Venezuela and saying that he was making good on his promise to eradicate the gangs no matter where they chose to hide. FROM @POTUS — 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. Before I returned to… pic.twitter.com/2dXhF5IWoH — DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) June 13, 2026 “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 posted, and then quickly pivoted to blame 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,” he said. “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 continued. “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.” Trump concluded his post by touting the cooperation between the United States and Venezuela, saying that because the two nations were working together, there was no safe place for such violent gang members to hide: “This action was coordinated closely with our friends in Venezuela, with whom we are working very well. 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!” General Francis L. Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, also praised the joint operation with Venezuela: “We extend our gratitude to the Venezuelan security forces for their support to the successful joint operation against a Tren de Aragua compound that resulted in the death of the narco-terrorist organization’s leader … Guerrero was a wanted fugitive charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with ordering, directing, and facilitating acts of terrorism and violence in the United States.” War Secretary Pete Hegseth describe the operation as proof that the United States and Venezuela were committed to taking the fight to those who would participate in narco-terrorism and “deny them any safe haven.” “TdA founder & leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, aka ‘Niño Guerrero,’ was confirmed killed during the strike. The operation underscores the shared U.S. and Venezuelan commitment to take the fight to narco-terrorists and deny them any safe haven in our hemisphere. We will continue to work closely with security partners, like Venezuela — and counties in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) partners — to take the fight to our enemies,” Hegseth posted. Earlier this week, the @DeptofWar — in full collaboration with Venezuelan security forces — conducted a kinetic strike on a Tren de Aragua (TdA) compound in Venezuela. TdA founder & leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, aka “Niño Guerrero,” was confirmed killed during the… — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) June 13, 2026