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American officials claim the military operation aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader required months of planning, yet when Donald Trump gave the order to commence, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" only lasted about two and a half hours.

The unexpected pre-dawn assault on Saturday represented a never-before-seen event within modern politics and led directly to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro along with his spouse, Cilia Flores.

Captured by soldiers belonging to a top-tier US army unit while they attempted to flee into a heavily secured panic room, the two are currently in custody in a detention centre in New York and are confronting drug trafficking and terrorism charges.

The Early Morning Raid against the Military Complex

At sunrise on Saturday, the scale of the military operation in Caracas, the nation's capital, became apparent.

Pictures from Fuerte Tiuna, a huge military complex in which senior leadership reside, depict bombed out structures and charred, smouldering cars.

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

Just Moments Earlier - Trump Gives the Order

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

The US disabled electricity across the capital, the President has since said, calling it pitch black and dangerous.

The goal was to neutralize the nation's air defense systems and clear the way for US military helicopters to get to the target.

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

Strike locations encompassed the compound, a maritime facility and an airfield. Images depict the complex engulfed in flames, with massive fires seen for miles.

Venezuelans have described how US military helicopters flew low above the city, en route to the military base.

A number of the aircraft came under fire, however managed to continue flying, military leaders said.

There was significant gunfire," the President added.

A Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

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

They gained access to the compound just after 2 AM local time, and the presidential couple surrendered without resistance, as per accounts.

However, more details were provided. They tried to escape into a safe place, described as a heavily fortified bunker.

"The safe place was constructed of steel, and he failed to make it to the door as our personnel were too quick.

"It was an extremely heavy door, a very heavy door," the President informed the media. "He made it the entrance. He could not to shut it."

However, even assuming they had managed to enter the safe room, troops could have blown it open in about "under a minute."

From Caracas to Manhattan

Currently under American detention, the couple were transported approximately 3,400 kilometers, to Manhattan.

They were taken by air from the capital by helicopter, and taken to a US warship, a naval vessel stationed in the Caribbean. The team was back "over the water" before 4:30 AM.

It was on the ship where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - the president in handcuffs, with hearing protection and a type of blindfold that looked like dark sunglasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, he was first flown to the US Navy base at Guantánamo Bay.

They were then flown via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state, before a final helicopter transfer to Manhattan.

Facing Justice in American Soil

That same day, footage was released showing the detainee at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in the city.

The couple are now being held at a federal holding facility in the city.

They face charges including planning drug-related terrorism and import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to acquire such weapons and destructive devices against the US.

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

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