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The US claim their military operation aimed at apprehending Venezuela's leader involved months of planning, however the moment the US President issued the order to launch, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" concluded after approximately 150 minutes.

The surprise early-morning strike on Saturday signified a historic event within modern politics and led directly to the arrest for Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro.

Apprehended by troops belonging to an elite US army unit as they tried to flee inside a heavily secured safe room, the couple are currently being held at a holding facility within New York City and face drug trafficking and terrorism accusations.

The Dawn Assault on the Military Complex

As the sun rose on Saturday, the magnitude of the military operation in the capital, the nation's primary city, became apparent.

Photographs of the vast military base, a massive army installation in which senior leadership live, reveal blasted structures and charred, smoking vehicles.

It was at this facility where the president and first lady were captured, Venezuelan ruling party leader a party official stated.

Hours Before - The President Gives the Order

The mission commenced with reports of blasts around 2 AM in Caracas (06:00 GMT).

The US disabled electricity to the city, the President has since said, calling it "dark and deadly".

The objective was to disable the nation's air defense systems and clear the path for American assault helicopters to reach Fuerte Tiuna.

"We assessed that we successfully kept completely the element of surprise", a senior military officer remarked.

Targeted sites included the base, a maritime facility and an airfield. Images depict the complex on fire, with huge flames seen for miles.

Residents reported how US military helicopters flew at low altitude 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.

There was significant weapons fire," Trump added.

The Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

After landing, troops from the US Army's Delta Force, sprang into action.

They gained access the facility at 02:01 Caracas time, and the presidential couple surrendered without a struggle, as per accounts.

But, more details emerged. They tried to escape into a safe place, referred to as a heavily fortified bunker.

"The safe place is all steel, and he failed to get inside as our personnel 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 bunker, troops could have breached it in about "47 seconds".

From the Capital to New York City

Now in US custody, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved approximately 3,400 kilometers, to New York City.

They were flown out of Caracas by helicopter, and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship stationed off the coast. The team was back "over the water" by 04:29.

It was on the ship where one of the defining pictures of the whole operation emerged - the president shackled, with hearing protection and a type of blindfold resembling dark sunglasses.

After leaving the ship, he was first flown to the US Navy base in Cuba.

The Maduros were then flown on a government plane to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, and then via helicopter to Manhattan.

Confronting The Legal System on US Territory

On Saturday, 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 in the city.

They face charges including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and import cocaine, owning machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to possess such weapons and bombs to use against America.

"They will soon face the complete force of American justice on American soil in American courts," the Attorney General declared.

Video shows Maduro's arrival in US and journey into custody.