A major security operation in southern Venezuela has drawn international attention following reports of a large explosion on 9 June near the illegal mining hub of Las Claritas in the mineral-rich Orinoco Mining Arc. Donald Trump has claimed the operation killed Héctor Guerrero Flores, known as ‘Niño Guerrero’, the leader of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, but authorities have not so far publicly provided confirmation of his death. The operation reportedly involved cooperation between US and Venezuelan authorities, marking a significant shift in relations between the two countries. The Arc contains extensive deposits of gold and other valuable minerals, but the region has long been dominated by criminal groups, illegal mining and weak governance. Analysts say the operation highlights growing efforts to target organised crime while also raising questions about future foreign investment in Venezuela’s mining sector. However, removing one gang leader is unlikely to resolve the region’s deeper challenges of violence, corruption and instability.