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American officials claim their armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader involved many weeks of planning, but when Donald Trump gave the order to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" concluded after approximately 150 minutes.

The unexpected early-morning assault this past weekend represented a historic event in contemporary international relations and led directly to the arrest for Venezuela's president along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Seized by soldiers belonging to a top-tier American military force while they tried to escape into a fortified secure chamber, the two are now in custody in a detention centre within New York City and are confronting drug trafficking and terrorism indictments.

A Early Morning Raid against the Military Complex

At sunrise that morning, the extent of the armed intervention in Caracas, the nation's capital, was evident.

Photographs from Fuerte Tiuna, an enormous military complex in which senior leadership reside, depict blasted structures as well as charred, smoking cars.

It was at this facility where the president and first lady were captured, a senior political figure a party official indicated.

Hours Earlier - The President Issues the Command

The mission commenced amid reports of explosions around 02:00 in Caracas (06:00 GMT).

The US cut power across the capital, Trump has since said, describing it as "dark and deadly".

The objective was to neutralize Venezuela's air defences and clear the way for American assault helicopters to reach the target.

"We assessed that we had maintained completely the element of surprise", a senior military officer stated.

Strike locations encompassed the compound, a maritime facility and an airfield. Images show Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, with huge flames seen for miles.

Residents reported the way American choppers flew low over Caracas, en route to the military base.

A number of the aircraft were shot at, however managed to continue flying, officials stated.

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

The Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

Once on the ground, troops from an elite special operations unit, sprang into action.

They gained access to the compound at 02:01 local time, and the presidential couple "gave up" without a struggle, as per accounts.

But, further information emerged. The Maduros attempted to flee into a secure location, referred to as a military "fortress".

The secure room is all steel, and he wasn't able to make it to the door as our personnel were so fast.

"It was an extremely heavy door, a very heavy door," the President told reporters. "He made it to the door. He was unable to close it."

But even if they had managed to get into the safe room, troops could have blown it open in approximately "47 seconds".

From Caracas to Manhattan

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

They were taken by air out of Caracas via chopper, and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship stationed in the Caribbean. The operation was back in international waters before 4:30 AM.

It was on the ship where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - Maduro shackled, wearing ear protectors and darkened eyewear that looked like opaque glasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, he was first flown at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay.

The Maduros then traveled via official aircraft to a military airfield in New York, before a final helicopter transfer to Manhattan.

Facing Justice on US Territory

On Saturday, 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 in the city.

They have been charged with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, possession of machine guns and explosives, and plots to possess machine guns and destructive devices to use against America.

They are set to encounter the complete force of American justice on American soil within US courtrooms," a senior legal official proclaimed.

Footage shows the leader's entry in US and journey to detention.