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American officials assert their armed forces mission to capture the South American nation's leader required many weeks of careful preparation, but the moment Donald Trump issued the order to commence, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" was completed in approximately 150 minutes.

The surprise pre-dawn assault this past weekend signified a historic event in contemporary international relations and culminated in the detention for Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro.

Seized by troops belonging to a top-tier US army unit when they attempted to flee inside a fortified panic room, the pair are now in custody at a holding facility in New York and face narco-terrorism charges.

The Early Morning Raid on Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak that morning, the extent of the armed intervention in the capital, Venezuela's capital, became apparent.

Images from Fuerte Tiuna, a massive military complex where top government officials reside, reveal bombed out buildings and charred, smouldering vehicles.

The location was this compound that Maduro and his wife were apprehended, a senior political figure Nahum Fernández stated.

Hours Before - The President Issues the Order

"Operation Absolute Resolve" started with reports of blasts at about 2 AM local time (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

American forces cut power across the capital, the President later described, calling it "dark and deadly".

The goal was to neutralize the nation's air defense systems and open up the path for American assault helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna.

"We assessed that we had maintained completely the advantage of surprise," a senior military officer stated.

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

Residents have described how US military helicopters flew low over Caracas, en route to the military base.

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

"It was a lot of gunfire," Trump noted.

A Lightning-Fast Ground Assault

After landing, forces from an elite special operations unit, acted with speed.

They gained access to the compound just after 2 AM local time, and the Maduros "gave up" without resistance, according to reports.

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

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

"It was a very thick door, a very heavy door," the President 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 breached it in about "47 seconds".

From the Capital to New York City

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

They were taken by air out of Caracas by helicopter, and taken to a US warship, a warship stationed in the Caribbean. The team was completed "over the water" before 4:30 AM.

It was on the ship where an iconic image of the whole operation emerged - the president shackled, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear that looked like dark sunglasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, his initial stop was to the US Navy base in Cuba.

The Maduros were then flown via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, before a final helicopter transfer to Manhattan.

Facing Justice on American Soil

On Saturday, footage emerged showing the detainee at the federal drug agency's headquarters in the city.

He and Cilia Flores are now detained in a detention centre within the city.

They face charges including conspiracy to commit drug-related terrorism and cocaine trafficking, possession of automatic weapons and explosives, and conspiracy to acquire machine guns and destructive devices against the US.

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

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