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American officials assert their military operation aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader involved many weeks of careful preparation, but when the US President gave the order to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" only lasted about 150 minutes.

The unexpected early-morning attack on Saturday represented a never-before-seen incident within modern politics and resulted in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro.

Captured by soldiers belonging to a top-tier American military force when they attempted to flee inside a heavily secured safe room, the pair are currently being held in a detention centre within New York City and face narco-terrorism indictments.

The Early Morning Raid against Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak on Saturday, the extent of the military operation in the capital, Venezuela's capital, became apparent.

Images of the vast military base, a massive army installation where senior leadership live, depict bombed out structures as well as burned, smoking cars.

It was at this facility where Maduro and his wife were captured, Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández reported.

Hours Earlier - The President Issues the Order

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

The US cut power across the capital, Trump later described, calling it pitch black and dangerous.

The objective was to disable Venezuela's air defense systems and open up the way for American assault helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna.

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

Strike locations included the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Pictures depict the complex engulfed in flames, with huge flames visible for miles.

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

Some of the helicopters came under fire, however managed to continue flying, military leaders stated.

"It was a lot of weapons fire," Trump added.

The Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

Once on the ground, forces from the US Army's Delta Force, sprang into action.

They gained access the facility just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the Maduros "gave up" without a struggle, as per reports.

However, further information emerged. They tried to escape into a secure location, described as a heavily fortified bunker.

The secure room was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to get inside because our guys were too quick.

"It was an extremely heavy door, a massive door," the President informed the media. "He made it the entrance. He was unable to shut it."

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

From Caracas to Manhattan

Currently under American detention, the couple were transported some 2,100 miles, to Manhattan.

They were taken by air out of Caracas by helicopter, and taken to a US warship, a warship stationed in the Caribbean. The operation was back "over the water" before 4:30 AM.

Aboard the vessel that one of the defining pictures from the entire mission was captured - the president shackled, with hearing protection and a type of blindfold resembling opaque glasses.

After leaving the ship, he was first flown at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay.

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

Confronting Justice on US Territory

On Saturday, a video emerged depicting Maduro at the federal drug agency's headquarters in the city.

The couple are now detained in a detention centre in the city.

They face charges with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, owning automatic weapons and explosives, and plots to acquire machine guns and bombs against the US.

"They will soon face the complete force of the US legal system in the United States within US courtrooms," the Attorney General declared.

Footage documents Maduro's arrival into American and transport into custody.