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

The shocking early-morning strike on Saturday represented an unprecedented event within modern politics and culminated in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Seized by soldiers belonging to a top-tier US army unit when they attempted to flee inside a fortified safe room, the two are currently detained at a holding facility within New York City and face drug trafficking and terrorism charges.

A Early Morning Assault against Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak on Saturday, the extent of the military operation in Caracas, the nation's primary city, was evident.

Photographs of the vast military base, a huge military complex in which senior leadership live, depict blasted buildings as well as burned, smoking cars.

The location was this base where Maduro and his wife were apprehended, Venezuelan ruling party leader a party official reported.

Just Moments Earlier - Trump Issues the Order

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

American forces disabled electricity across the capital, Trump has since said, describing it as "dark and deadly".

The objective was to disable the nation's air defense systems and open up the path for American assault helicopters to reach the target.

"We assessed that we had maintained totally the element of surprise", the top general stated.

Strike locations encompassed the base, a port and an airport. Images show Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with huge flames seen from a great distance.

Residents have described the way American choppers flew low over Caracas, en route to Fuerte Tiuna.

Some of the helicopters were shot at, however managed to continue flying, military leaders stated.

"It was a lot of gunfire," the President added.

A Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

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

They entered the facility just after 2 AM local time, and the Maduros "gave up" without a struggle, according to accounts.

But, further information were provided. They tried to escape into a secure location, referred to as a military "fortress".

The secure room is all steel, and he wasn't able to get inside because our guys were so fast.

"It was an extremely heavy entryway, a massive door," Trump told reporters. "He made it to the door. He was unable to close it."

However, even assuming they had succeeded to enter the safe room, troops could have blown it open in about "under a minute."

From Caracas to Manhattan

Currently under American detention, the couple were moved some 3,400 kilometers, to New York City.

They were taken by air from the capital via chopper, and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship positioned off the coast. The team was completed in international waters by 04:29.

Aboard the vessel where one of the defining pictures from the entire mission emerged - Maduro shackled, wearing ear protectors and darkened eyewear resembling dark sunglasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, his initial stop was at the American naval installation in Cuba.

The Maduros were then flown via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, and then via helicopter to Manhattan.

Facing Justice on US Territory

That same day, footage was released showing Maduro inside the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in New York.

The couple are now being held in a detention centre within the city.

They face charges including conspiracy to commit drug-related terrorism and import cocaine, possession of machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to acquire such weapons and bombs against the US.

"They will soon face the complete force of American justice on American soil in American courts," a senior legal official declared.

Video documents the leader's entry in US and journey into custody.