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American officials state their armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader took months of careful preparation, but the moment Donald Trump gave the command to commence, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" only lasted roughly two and a half hours.

The shocking early-morning attack on Saturday marked an unprecedented event within modern politics and led directly to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro.

Captured by troops from a top-tier US army unit when they attempted to flee inside a heavily secured panic room, the couple are now being held in a detention centre within New York City and are confronting narco-terrorism indictments.

The Dawn Assault against the Military Complex

With daybreak on Saturday, the extent of the military operation in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, became apparent.

Photographs of the vast military base, a huge army installation where senior leadership live, depict bombed out structures and charred, smoking cars.

It was at this base where the president and first lady were apprehended, Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández stated.

Just Moments Earlier - Trump Gives the Command

The mission began with reports of explosions around 02:00 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 goal was to neutralize the nation's air defences and clear the path for American assault helicopters to reach Fuerte Tiuna.

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

Targeted sites included the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Pictures depict the complex engulfed in flames, with huge flames seen from a great distance.

Venezuelans reported the way US military helicopters flew at low altitude over Caracas, heading for the military base.

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

There was significant gunfire," Trump added.

The Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

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

They entered the facility at 02:01 local time, and the Maduros surrendered without a struggle, according to accounts.

However, more details were provided. They tried to escape into a secure location, described as a heavily fortified bunker.

The secure room is all steel, and he wasn't able to get inside as our personnel were too quick.

It featured a very thick door, a very heavy door," the President told reporters. "He made it to the door. He was unable to shut it."

But even if they had managed to enter the safe room, troops could have breached it in about "under a minute."

From the Capital to New York City

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

They were taken by air from the capital via chopper, and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, a naval vessel positioned off the coast. The operation was back "over the water" by 04:29.

It was on the ship where one of the defining pictures from the entire mission was captured - the president in handcuffs, with hearing protection and a type of blindfold resembling opaque glasses.

After leaving the ship, he was first flown at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay.

The Maduros were then flown on a government plane to a military airfield 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 Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) main office in the city.

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

They have been charged with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, owning machine guns and explosives, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices to use against America.

They are set to encounter the full wrath of American justice in the United States within US courtrooms," the Attorney General proclaimed.

Video documents Maduro's arrival in US and journey to detention.