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The US state the armed forces mission aimed at apprehending Venezuela's president involved many weeks of careful preparation, but when the US President issued the order to commence, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" only lasted approximately two and a half hours.

The shocking early-morning attack this past weekend represented a historic event within contemporary international relations and resulted in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores.

Apprehended by troops from a top-tier American military force as they tried to flee inside a fortified secure chamber, the couple are now in custody in a detention centre in New York and face drug trafficking and terrorism accusations.

The Early Morning Assault on Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak that morning, the extent of the armed intervention in Caracas, the nation's primary city, was clear.

Images from Fuerte Tiuna, an enormous army installation in which key officials live, show destroyed buildings and burned, smoking cars.

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

Hours Before - Trump Gives the Order

The mission commenced amid reports of explosions at approximately 2 AM local time (06:00 GMT).

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

The aim was to disable Venezuela's air defences and clear the path for American assault helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna.

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

Targeted sites encompassed the base, a port and an airport. Images show Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with huge flames seen from a great distance.

Venezuelans reported the way American choppers flew low over Caracas, en route to Fuerte Tiuna.

Some of the helicopters came under fire, but managed to continue flying, officials stated.

"It was significant gunfire," the President added.

A Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

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

They entered the facility just after 2 AM local time, and the Maduros "gave up" without a struggle, according to reports.

However, more details emerged. The Maduros attempted to flee into a secure location, described as a military "fortress".

"The safe place was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to make it inside because our guys were too quick.

It featured a very thick entryway, a very heavy door," Trump told reporters. He reached to the door. He could not to shut it."

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

From Caracas to New York City

Currently under American detention, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were transported some 2,100 miles, to Manhattan.

They were taken by air out of Caracas by helicopter, and taken to the USS Iwo Jima, a naval vessel positioned off the coast. The operation was completed in international waters by 04:29.

It was on the ship where one of the defining pictures from the entire mission was captured - Maduro shackled, wearing ear protectors and a type of blindfold that looked like dark sunglasses.

After leaving the ship, his initial stop was to the US Navy base at Guantánamo Bay.

They then traveled on a government plane to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, before a final helicopter transfer into New York City.

Confronting Justice in US Territory

On Saturday, footage emerged showing Maduro at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in New York.

He and Cilia Flores are presently being held at a federal holding facility within the city.

They face charges with planning narco-terrorism and import cocaine, owning machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and bombs against the US.

"They will soon face the complete force of American justice on American soil within US courtrooms," the Attorney General proclaimed.

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