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The US assert their military operation to capture Venezuela's leader took many weeks of planning, yet when Donald Trump gave the command to launch, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" concluded after about two and a half hours.

The surprise pre-dawn assault on Saturday signified an unprecedented incident in modern politics and led directly to the arrest for Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Apprehended by soldiers belonging to an elite American military force when they tried to escape inside a fortified safe room, the couple are currently being held in a detention centre within New York City and are confronting drug trafficking and terrorism accusations.

A Early Morning Assault on Fuerte Tiuna

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

Pictures of Fuerte Tiuna, an enormous military complex in which top government officials reside, show destroyed buildings and charred, smouldering cars.

It was at this facility where Maduro and his wife were captured, a senior political figure Nahum Fernández indicated.

Just Moments Earlier - Trump Gives the Order

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

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

The goal was to neutralize the nation's air defense systems and clear the path for US military helicopters to reach the target.

Our evaluation was that we had maintained totally the advantage of surprise," a senior military officer commented.

Targeted sites encompassed the compound, a maritime facility and an airfield. Images show Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with massive fires seen from a great distance.

Residents have described the way American choppers flew at low altitude over Caracas, heading for the military base.

A number of the aircraft came under fire, however managed to continue flying, military leaders said.

There was a lot of weapons fire," Trump noted.

The Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

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

They entered to the compound at 02:01 local time, and the presidential couple surrendered without resistance, according to reports.

But, more details were provided. The Maduros attempted to flee into a safe place, described as a heavily fortified bunker.

The secure room was constructed of steel, and he failed to get to the door because our guys were too quick.

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

But even if they had managed to enter the bunker, troops could have blown it open in approximately "47 seconds".

From Caracas to New York City

Currently under American detention, the couple were transported some 2,100 miles, to New York City.

They were taken by air from the capital by helicopter, and transferred to a US warship, a naval vessel stationed in the Caribbean. The team was back "over the water" by 04:29.

Aboard the vessel where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - Maduro in handcuffs, wearing ear protectors and a type of blindfold resembling opaque glasses.

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

They were then flown via official aircraft to a military airfield in New York state, and then via helicopter to Manhattan.

Confronting Justice on American Soil

On Saturday, footage emerged depicting the detainee at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) main office in the city.

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

They face charges with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, owning automatic weapons and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons and bombs to use against America.

They are set to encounter the full wrath of the US legal system on American soil within US courtrooms," a senior legal official declared.

Footage shows Maduro's arrival into American and journey to detention.