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American officials claim the armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader required many weeks of careful preparation, but the moment Donald Trump issued the order to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" only lasted about 150 minutes.

The shocking pre-dawn strike on Saturday signified a never-before-seen event within modern politics and resulted in the detention of Venezuela's president and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Apprehended by troops belonging to a top-tier American military force when they attempted to flee inside a heavily secured secure chamber, the two are now detained at a holding facility in New York and are confronting narco-terrorism indictments.

A Dawn Assault on the Military Complex

As the sun rose on Saturday, the scale of the armed intervention in the capital, the nation's capital, was evident.

Images from Fuerte Tiuna, a massive army installation in which top government officials live, reveal blasted structures and burned, smouldering vehicles.

The location was this base where Maduro and his wife were apprehended, a senior political figure a party official indicated.

Just Moments Earlier - The President Issues the Command

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

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

The goal was to neutralize the nation's air defences and clear the path for American assault helicopters to get to the target.

"We assessed that we had maintained completely the advantage of surprise," the top general commented.

Strike locations included the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Images show the complex engulfed in flames, with massive fires visible from a great distance.

Venezuelans have described how US military helicopters flew at low altitude above the city, heading for Fuerte Tiuna.

Some of the helicopters came under fire, but were still able to fly, military leaders said.

"It was a lot of gunfire," the President added.

The Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

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

They gained access to the compound at 02:01 Caracas time, and the presidential couple surrendered without a struggle, as per reports.

But, further information were provided. The Maduros attempted to flee into a safe place, described as a military "fortress".

"The safe place was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to get to the door as our personnel were too quick.

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

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

From Caracas to Manhattan

Currently under American detention, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved approximately 3,400 kilometers, to Manhattan.

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

Aboard the vessel where an iconic image of the whole operation was captured - Maduro in handcuffs, wearing ear protectors and darkened eyewear that looked like opaque glasses.

After leaving the ship, 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, and then via helicopter to Manhattan.

Facing Justice on US Territory

On Saturday, a video emerged showing Maduro at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) main office in the city.

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

They face charges with planning drug-related terrorism and import cocaine, possession of machine guns and explosives, and plots to possess such weapons and bombs against the US.

"They will soon face the complete force of American justice in the United States in American courts," the Attorney General proclaimed.

Footage documents Maduro's arrival in US and transport into custody.