Video footage emerging from northern Venezuela shows a massive nighttime explosion at Higuerote Airport in Miranda state, followed by a series of secondary blasts and intense fire, consistent with a precision strike on a surface-to-air missile launcher operated by the Venezuelan Air Force. The footage, filmed from inside a nearby building overlooking the airport, captures the initial detonation and subsequent chain reactions that illuminated the surrounding area.

The strike occurred amid a broader wave of U.S. air operations on January 3, 2026, authorized by President Donald Trump and aimed at degrading Venezuelan military capabilities near Caracas. Military analysts reviewing the video note that the pattern of explosions strongly suggests a direct hit on a missile system, with follow-on detonations likely caused by stored munitions and fuel igniting after impact.

Higuerote Airport, located strategically along Venezuela’s northern coast, has long been viewed as a key military asset due to its proximity to the capital and its role in air defense coverage. Neutralizing surface-to-air missile sites in the area would significantly reduce the regime’s ability to contest airspace and threaten aircraft operating in the region.

The strike is part of a rapid sequence of events that reportedly culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro earlier the same day, with little to no resistance from local forces. The apparent lack of effective response from Venezuelan air defenses underscores the deteriorated state of the country’s military readiness and command structure following years of corruption, neglect, and politicization.

The explosions at Higuerote serve as a clear demonstration of U.S. military reach and precision, delivering a decisive blow to hostile military assets while minimizing broader collateral damage. The operation sends a strong message that threats posed by hostile regimes will be met with overwhelming force when American interests and regional stability are at stake.