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The US assert their armed forces mission to capture the South American nation's leader involved many weeks of planning, yet when Donald Trump issued the command to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" concluded after roughly 150 minutes.

The surprise pre-dawn strike this past weekend represented a never-before-seen incident within contemporary international relations and culminated in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Captured by troops from an elite American military force as they attempted to flee into a fortified panic room, the pair are now detained in a detention centre within New York City and face narco-terrorism charges.

A Dawn Raid against the Military Complex

With daybreak that morning, the magnitude of the military operation in the capital, Venezuela's capital, was evident.

Images from Fuerte Tiuna, a huge military complex where top government officials reside, depict bombed out structures and burned, smoking cars.

The location was this facility where the president and first lady were captured, Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández indicated.

Hours Earlier - Trump Gives the Command

"Operation Absolute Resolve" started amid reports of blasts around 02:00 in Caracas (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

The US disabled electricity to the city, the President later described, describing it as "dark and deadly".

The aim was to neutralize Venezuela's air defense systems and open up the way for US military helicopters to reach the target.

"We assessed that we had maintained completely the element of surprise", the top general stated.

Targeted sites included the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Images depict Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, with massive fires seen for miles.

Venezuelans reported how US military helicopters flew low above the city, heading for the military base.

A number of the aircraft came under fire, but were still able to fly, officials said.

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

The Lightning-Fast Ground Assault

After landing, troops from the US Army's Delta Force, acted with speed.

They gained access the facility at 02:01 local time, and the Maduros surrendered without resistance, as per accounts.

But, more details were provided. They attempted to flee into a secure location, described as a heavily fortified bunker.

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

It featured a very thick door, a massive door," Trump informed the media. "He made it the entrance. He was unable to close it."

However, even assuming they had managed to get into the safe room, forces could have blown it open in approximately "47 seconds".

From Caracas to Manhattan

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

They were taken by air from the capital via chopper, and taken to a US warship, a warship positioned off the coast. The operation was completed in international waters by 04:29.

It was on the ship that an iconic image of the whole operation emerged - Maduro shackled, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear resembling opaque glasses.

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, before a final helicopter transfer into New York City.

Facing Justice in American Soil

That same day, footage emerged depicting the detainee inside the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in the city.

The couple are now being held in a detention centre within the city.

They face charges including planning narco-terrorism and import cocaine, owning automatic weapons and explosives, and plots to acquire machine guns and bombs to use against America.

"They will soon face the complete force of American justice in the United States within US courtrooms," a senior legal official proclaimed.

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