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American officials claim their military operation to capture the South American nation's president involved months of careful preparation, but when Donald Trump issued the order to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" concluded after approximately two and a half hours.

The shocking early-morning assault this past weekend represented an unprecedented event in modern politics and culminated in the detention of Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Captured by troops belonging to a top-tier American military force while they tried to flee inside a heavily secured safe room, the two are now detained at a holding facility within New York City and face drug trafficking and terrorism indictments.

A Dawn Raid against the Military Complex

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

Images from Fuerte Tiuna, an enormous army installation in which top government officials reside, show destroyed buildings as well as burned, smoking cars.

The location was this base where Maduro and his wife were apprehended, a senior political figure Nahum Fernández indicated.

Just Moments Earlier - The President Issues the Command

The mission started amid reports of blasts around 2 AM local time (06:00 GMT).

The US cut power to the city, Trump later described, describing it as "dark and deadly".

The objective was to disable Venezuela's air defences and open up the way for US military helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna.

Our evaluation was that we successfully kept totally the advantage of surprise," the top general remarked.

Strike locations included the compound, a maritime facility and an airfield. Pictures depict Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, with massive fires seen for miles.

Venezuelans reported how US military helicopters flew low over Caracas, en route to the military base.

A number of the aircraft were shot at, however were still able to fly, military leaders stated.

"It was a lot of gunfire," Trump added.

A Lightning-Fast Ground Assault

After landing, forces from the US Army's Delta Force, acted with speed.

They entered the facility at 02:01 local time, and the Maduros "gave up" without a struggle, according to accounts.

But, further information were provided. They attempted to flee into a secure location, described as a heavily fortified bunker.

The secure room was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to get to the door because our guys were so fast.

It featured a very thick entryway, a very heavy door," Trump informed the media. He reached the entrance. He was unable to shut it."

But even if they had managed to get into the safe room, forces could have blown it open in approximately "under a minute."

From the Capital to New York City

Currently under American detention, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were transported approximately 3,400 kilometers, to New York City.

They were taken by air from the capital via chopper, and taken to the USS Iwo Jima, a naval vessel stationed off the coast. The operation was completed in international waters before 4:30 AM.

It was on the ship that one of the defining pictures from the entire mission emerged - the president in handcuffs, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear that looked like dark sunglasses.

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

The Maduros then traveled via official aircraft to a military airfield in New York state, and then via helicopter into New York City.

Facing Justice in American Soil

That same day, a video was released showing Maduro at the federal drug agency's headquarters in the city.

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

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

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

Footage documents Maduro's arrival in US and journey into custody.