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The US claim the military operation aimed at apprehending the South American nation's president required many weeks of careful preparation, however when Donald Trump gave the command to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" concluded after approximately two and a half hours.

The surprise early-morning assault on Saturday signified a historic event within contemporary international relations and resulted in the arrest for Venezuela's president and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Seized by troops from a top-tier American military force as they tried to flee inside a heavily secured secure chamber, the pair are now being held at a holding facility in New York and face drug trafficking and terrorism accusations.

The Early Morning Raid on Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak on Saturday, the extent of the armed intervention in the capital, the nation's capital, was evident.

Photographs of Fuerte Tiuna, a massive army installation in which senior leadership reside, show bombed out structures as well as burned, smoking vehicles.

The location was this facility where Maduro and his wife were captured, Venezuelan ruling party leader a party official stated.

Hours Earlier - Trump Issues the Order

"Operation Absolute Resolve" began amid reports of blasts at approximately 2 AM in Caracas (06:00 GMT).

American forces cut power to the city, Trump later described, calling it pitch black and dangerous.

The aim was to disable Venezuela's air defense systems and clear the way for American assault helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna.

Our evaluation was that we had maintained completely the element of surprise", a senior military officer commented.

Strike locations encompassed the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Images depict the complex on fire, with massive fires visible from a great distance.

Residents reported how US military helicopters flew at low altitude over Caracas, en route to Fuerte Tiuna.

Some of the helicopters were shot at, however managed to continue flying, officials said.

There was significant weapons fire," Trump added.

The Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

Once on the ground, forces from an elite special operations unit, moved quickly.

They entered to the compound just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the Maduros "gave up" without resistance, as per reports.

But, more details emerged. The Maduros attempted to flee into a secure location, referred to as a heavily fortified bunker.

"The safe place is all steel, and he wasn't able to get to the door as our personnel were too quick.

It featured a very thick door, a very heavy door," the President told reporters. He reached the entrance. He was unable to close it."

However, even assuming they had managed to enter the bunker, troops could have breached it in approximately "47 seconds".

From Caracas to New York City

Now in US custody, the couple were transported some 2,100 miles, to New York City.

They were flown out of Caracas via chopper, and taken to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship positioned in the Caribbean. The team was completed in international waters by 04:29.

Aboard the vessel that an iconic image from the entire mission was captured - the president shackled, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear resembling dark sunglasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, his initial stop was to the US Navy base in Cuba.

They then traveled via official aircraft to a military airfield in New York, before a final helicopter transfer into New York City.

Facing Justice on US Territory

That same day, footage emerged showing the detainee at the federal drug agency's main office in New York.

He and Cilia Flores are now being held at a federal holding facility within the city.

They face charges with planning narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, possession of machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to acquire machine guns and destructive devices to use against America.

They are set to encounter the full wrath of American justice on American soil within US courtrooms," a senior legal official declared.

Footage shows Maduro's arrival into American and journey to detention.