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The US claim the military operation to capture the South American nation's president involved months of careful preparation, however when Donald Trump issued the order to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" concluded after about 150 minutes.

The unexpected pre-dawn assault this past weekend marked a historic incident in modern politics and culminated in the detention of Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Seized by soldiers from a top-tier American military force as they attempted to escape into a fortified secure chamber, the couple are currently detained in a detention centre in New York and face drug trafficking and terrorism charges.

A Early Morning Raid on the Military Complex

As the sun rose that morning, the extent of the military operation in the capital, Venezuela's capital, became apparent.

Images of the vast military base, a huge army installation where key officials live, reveal bombed out structures and charred, smoking vehicles.

It was at this base that the president and first lady were captured, Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández indicated.

Just Moments Earlier - The President Gives the Command

The mission commenced amid reports of explosions at about 2 AM in Caracas (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

The US disabled electricity to the city, Trump has since said, describing it as "dark and deadly".

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

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

Targeted sites included the base, a port and an airport. Images depict Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, with massive fires visible for miles.

Venezuelans reported the way US military helicopters flew low over Caracas, en route to Fuerte Tiuna.

Some of the helicopters were shot at, however managed to continue flying, military leaders stated.

"It was a lot of weapons fire," the President added.

A Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

After landing, troops from an elite special operations unit, acted with speed.

They gained access to the compound at 02:01 Caracas time, and the Maduros "gave up" without resistance, as per reports.

But, further information were provided. The Maduros tried to escape into a secure location, referred to as a military "fortress".

The secure room is all steel, and he failed to get to the door as our personnel were so fast.

"It was an extremely heavy entryway, a very heavy door," the President 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 blown it open in about "47 seconds".

From Caracas to Manhattan

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

They were taken by air out of Caracas by helicopter, and transferred to a US warship, a warship positioned in the Caribbean. The operation was completed in international waters by 04:29.

Aboard the vessel where one of the defining pictures from the entire mission was captured - the president in handcuffs, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear that looked like opaque glasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, he was first flown to the US Navy base in Cuba.

The Maduros were then flown via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state, and then via helicopter into New York City.

Confronting Justice in American Soil

That same day, a video emerged depicting Maduro inside the federal drug agency's main office in the city.

The couple are presently being held at a federal holding facility within the city.

They have been charged with conspiracy to commit drug-related terrorism and cocaine trafficking, possession of machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to acquire machine guns and destructive devices to use against America.

"They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil within US courtrooms," a senior legal official declared.

Footage shows Maduro's arrival in US and transport to detention.