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Who Is ‘Niño Guerrero’? Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores: Role, Charges and Status

What officials and news reports say about Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as “Niño Guerrero”. Everything below is attributed to its source. Accusations are allegations, not findings: anyone not convicted is presumed innocent.

At a glance

  • Name: Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores
  • Known as: Niño Guerrero
  • Role, as reported: U.S. authorities identified him as the leader of Tren de Aragua. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • Link to a criminal group: linked to the Tren de Aragua in news reports cited below. See the Tren de Aragua profile.
  • On this page: 25 facts from 2 sources (0 from official records). Unverified leads are not shown.

Role, as officials describe it

  • U.S. authorities identified him as the leader of Tren de Aragua. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]

Accusations and charges

  • He was charged in a New York federal court with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending support to terrorists in crimes stretching more than a decade; authorities announced the charges in December. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • The December 2025 indictment alleged he was responsible for ordering, directing, and facilitating acts of terrorism and violence inside the United States. [The American Star News · news/research]
  • He was charged in a New York federal court with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending support to terrorists in crimes stretching more than a decade; authorities announced the charges in December. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • The December 2025 indictment alleged he was responsible for ordering, directing, and facilitating acts of terrorism and violence inside the United States. [The American Star News · news/research]

Sanctions and designations

  • The U.S. administration designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization earlier in Trump's second term. [The American Star News · news/research]
  • The U.S. administration designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization earlier in Trump's second term. [The American Star News · news/research]

Names and aliases

  • He was also known as 'El Innombrable.' [The American Star News · news/research]
  • U.S. authorities identify him as Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as 'Niño Guerrero.' [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • U.S. authorities identify him as Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as 'Niño Guerrero.' [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]

Key events

  • On June 12, 2026 President Trump announced that U.S. Southern Command had killed him in a strike earlier that week on a Tren de Aragua compound in Venezuela. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • The administration said the operation was coordinated with Venezuelan leaders, and Venezuela's government confirmed its participation. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • The strike occurred in the southeastern state of Bolívar, Venezuela. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • Trump announced the strike was carried out with help from Venezuela as part of the U.S. campaign against narco-terrorists. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • On June 12, 2026 President Trump announced that U.S. Southern Command had killed him in a strike earlier that week on a Tren de Aragua compound in Venezuela. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • The administration said the operation was coordinated with Venezuelan leaders, and Venezuela's government confirmed its participation. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • The strike occurred in the southeastern state of Bolívar, Venezuela. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • Trump announced the strike was carried out with help from Venezuela as part of the U.S. campaign against narco-terrorists. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]

Other reported details

  • The State Department had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • He is deceased as of June 12, 2026. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • The State Department had offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]
  • He is deceased as of June 12, 2026. [Associated Press, 2026-06-12 · news/research]

Our coverage

Tren de Aragua profile · More “Who is” profiles

Last reviewed: September 30, 2026. If you are named here and believe something is wrong, contact us via our corrections page.