US President Donald Trump announced Friday night that the US Southern Command killed Niño Guerrero, “the infamous leader of the Tren de Aragua,” in a “swift and lethal military strike.” The Republican described the Tren de Aragua in a message on his social media platform, Truth, as “one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organizations on the planet.” Trump did not specify where the attack took place, but a statement from the government of Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that the notorious criminal leader was killed in Bolívar State, in southeastern Venezuela.
The announcement comes three days after Venezuelan Armed Forces helicopters raided the Las Claritas mining enclave in Bolívar, near the border with Brazil and Guyana. Numerous videos showed the raid in the region, where mines controlled by the Tren de Aragua are widespread. And, given the Venezuelan government’s silence, all sorts of speculation arose. The most prevalent theory was that Venezuelan authorities were trying to regain control of the mines due to foreign companies’ interest in exploiting their resources. Following Trump’s revelation, the operation takes on a new meaning.
