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The US state their armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader involved months of careful preparation, however the moment the US President gave the command to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" concluded after about two and a half hours.

The unexpected early-morning attack this past weekend represented an unprecedented event within contemporary international relations and culminated in the arrest for Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro.

Captured by soldiers belonging to an elite American military force as they tried to flee into a fortified panic room, the couple are currently detained at a holding facility in New York and face narco-terrorism accusations.

The Dawn Raid on Fuerte Tiuna

As the sun rose that morning, the extent of the military operation in Caracas, the nation's capital, was evident.

Pictures from the vast military base, a huge army installation in which top government officials live, reveal blasted buildings and burned, smoking vehicles.

It was at this facility where the president and first lady were apprehended, Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández reported.

Just Moments Earlier - Trump Issues the Order

The mission began with reports of blasts at about 2 AM local time (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

American forces cut power to the city, the President later described, describing it as pitch black and dangerous.

The aim was to neutralize the nation's air defense systems and open up the path for US military helicopters to get to the target.

"We assessed that we successfully kept totally the advantage of surprise," the top general stated.

Targeted sites encompassed the base, a maritime facility and an airport. Pictures depict Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, with massive fires seen for miles.

Venezuelans reported how US military helicopters flew low above the city, heading for the military base.

Some of the helicopters were shot at, however were still able to fly, military leaders said.

There was significant weapons fire," Trump added.

The Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

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

They entered to the compound just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the presidential couple "gave up" without resistance, according to reports.

However, more details emerged. The Maduros tried to escape into a safe place, described as a military "fortress".

The secure room is all steel, and he failed to make it to the door because our guys were so fast.

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

But even if they had succeeded to enter the bunker, forces could have blown it open in about "47 seconds".

From the Capital to Manhattan

Now in US custody, the couple were transported some 2,100 miles, to Manhattan.

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

Aboard the vessel that an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - the president shackled, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear resembling opaque glasses.

After leaving the ship, he was first flown to the US Navy base at Guantánamo Bay.

The Maduros then traveled on a government plane to a military airfield in New York state, before a final helicopter transfer to Manhattan.

Confronting The Legal System on American Soil

That same day, a video emerged showing Maduro at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) main office in New York.

The couple are presently detained in a detention centre within the city.

They face charges with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and import cocaine, possession of machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US.

"They will soon face the full wrath of the US legal system in the United States within US courtrooms," a senior legal official declared.

Video documents the leader's entry in US and transport to detention.