Donald Trump announced a deadly strike on cartel leaders in Venezuela, calling it 'retribution' for crimes allegedly committed in the US by immigrants. The American president said the United States Southern Command used a kinetic strike to execute Niño Guerrero, 'the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth.'
Trump's Statement on Truth Social
On Truth Social, Trump added: '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. 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 Riley, and countless other beautiful souls.'
Coordination with Venezuela
Trump said he coordinated the strike 'closely' with 'our friends in Venezuela' and said Tren de Aragua terrorists will no longer have a 'safe haven' there. Tren de Aragua, Venezuela's most powerful grassroots gang, is influential across the country and neighbouring nations with almost 10,000 members. The gang was established more than a decade ago and has been responsible for kidnappings, robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution, and extortion.
Broader Crackdown on Cartels
Trump vowed to crack down on the gang and other cartels, having designated them as foreign terrorist organisations. The strike in Venezuela comes as Trump promised a peace agreement to end the ongoing war with Iran would be signed 'today'. While Tehran has seemed optimistic about the prospect of an agreement being reached, it appeared to refute claims the agreement would be reached on Sunday. A tenuous ceasefire between the two countries has been in place since April 7.
Iran Negotiations
Trump has asserted multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal. Iran has long expressed wariness in negotiations, pointing out that previous talks with the US last year and early this year ended with attacks by the US and Israel. Trump is also expected to discuss plans to demine the Strait of Hormuz with allies during next week's Group of Seven summit in France, a senior US administration official said. The official said Trump also plans to meet on the sidelines of the summit with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to discuss efforts to wind down the Iran war.
