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American officials assert the military operation aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader involved many weeks of careful preparation, yet when the US President gave the command to commence, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" only lasted roughly 150 minutes.

The unexpected early-morning assault on Saturday signified a historic event within contemporary international relations and led directly to the detention for Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Apprehended by soldiers from a top-tier American military force when they attempted to escape into a fortified panic room, the two are currently being held in a detention centre within New York City and face drug trafficking and terrorism indictments.

A Early Morning Raid against the Military Complex

With daybreak that morning, the extent of the armed intervention in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, was evident.

Images of the vast military base, a massive army installation where senior leadership reside, depict bombed out structures as well as charred, smouldering cars.

The location was this facility that Maduro and his wife were apprehended, a senior political figure Nahum Fernández reported.

Just Moments Earlier - Trump Gives the Command

"Operation Absolute Resolve" began amid reports of explosions at approximately 02:00 in Caracas (06:00 GMT).

The US disabled electricity to the city, Trump later described, calling it "dark and deadly".

The aim was to disable Venezuela's air defense systems and clear the way for US military helicopters to reach Fuerte Tiuna.

"We assessed that we successfully kept totally the advantage of surprise," a senior military officer commented.

Targeted sites included the compound, a port and an airport. Pictures depict the complex engulfed in flames, with huge flames seen for miles.

Residents have described the way American choppers flew at low altitude over Caracas, heading for the military base.

A number of the aircraft came under fire, however managed to continue flying, officials said.

"It was significant gunfire," the President noted.

A Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

After landing, forces from the US Army's Delta Force, moved quickly.

They entered to the compound at 02:01 local time, and the Maduros surrendered without resistance, as per accounts.

But, more details were provided. The Maduros attempted to flee into a secure location, referred to as a military "fortress".

"The safe place was constructed of steel, and he failed to make it inside as our personnel were too quick.

It featured a very thick door, a massive door," the President informed the media. "He made it the entrance. He was unable to shut it."

However, even assuming they had managed to get into the safe room, troops could have breached it in about "47 seconds".

From the Capital to Manhattan

Now in US custody, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved approximately 3,400 kilometers, to Manhattan.

They were flown out of Caracas by helicopter, and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship stationed in the Caribbean. The team was back in international waters before 4:30 AM.

It was on the ship where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - the president in handcuffs, wearing ear protectors and darkened eyewear that looked like dark sunglasses.

After leaving the ship, he was first flown at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay.

They were then flown on a government plane to a military airfield in New York, and then via helicopter into New York City.

Facing The Legal System on American Soil

On Saturday, footage was released showing Maduro inside the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) main office in the city.

He and Cilia Flores are presently detained in a detention centre within the city.

They have been charged including planning drug-related terrorism and cocaine trafficking, owning machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and bombs against the US.

"They will soon face the complete force of American justice in the United States in American courts," the Attorney General declared.

Footage documents Maduro's arrival in US and transport to detention.