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The US state the military operation aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader took months of planning, but when the US President issued the command to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" only lasted approximately 150 minutes.

The unexpected early-morning attack on Saturday signified a never-before-seen event within contemporary international relations and culminated in the arrest of Venezuela's president along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Captured by troops belonging to an elite American military force as they attempted to escape into a heavily secured secure chamber, the couple are currently detained at a holding facility in New York and face drug trafficking and terrorism indictments.

A Early Morning Raid against Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak that morning, the magnitude of the military operation in Caracas, the nation's primary city, became apparent.

Images from Fuerte Tiuna, a massive military complex where senior leadership reside, reveal bombed out buildings as well as charred, smouldering cars.

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

Hours Before - The President Gives the Order

The mission commenced with reports of explosions at approximately 02:00 in Caracas (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

The US cut power across the capital, the President has since said, describing it as "dark and deadly".

The goal was to disable Venezuela's air defense systems and open up the way for American assault helicopters to reach the target.

Our evaluation was that we successfully kept completely the advantage of surprise," the top general commented.

Strike locations encompassed the compound, a maritime facility and an airfield. Images depict Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with massive fires seen from a great distance.

Venezuelans have described how American choppers flew low over Caracas, en route to Fuerte Tiuna.

Some of the helicopters were shot at, however were still able to fly, officials said.

There was significant weapons fire," Trump added.

A Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

Once on the ground, troops from the US Army's Delta Force, moved quickly.

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

But, more details were provided. The Maduros 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 to the door because our guys were too quick.

It featured an extremely heavy entryway, a very heavy door," the President informed the media. "He made it to the door. He was unable to shut it."

However, even assuming they had succeeded to enter the bunker, forces could have blown it open in about "47 seconds".

From Caracas to New York City

Now in US custody, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved some 2,100 miles, to New York City.

They were flown 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.

It was on the ship where an iconic image of the whole operation was captured - Maduro shackled, wearing ear protectors and a type of blindfold resembling opaque glasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, he was first flown at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay.

The Maduros were then flown on a government plane to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, before a final helicopter transfer to Manhattan.

Confronting The Legal System in US Territory

On Saturday, a video was released showing Maduro inside the federal drug agency's main office in the city.

He and Cilia Flores are now being held at a federal holding facility in the city.

They have been charged including planning narco-terrorism and import cocaine, owning machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to possess such weapons and bombs against the US.

They are set to encounter the full wrath of the US legal system in the United States within US courtrooms," a senior legal official declared.

Video shows Maduro's arrival into American and journey into custody.