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The US assert the armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader involved months of planning, however the moment the US President gave the order to launch, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" concluded after approximately two and a half hours.

The unexpected early-morning attack on Saturday signified a historic event within modern politics and culminated in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Apprehended by troops from a top-tier US army unit as they attempted to escape inside a fortified secure chamber, the couple are currently detained in a detention centre in New York and face drug trafficking and terrorism accusations.

The Dawn Assault on the Military Complex

With daybreak on Saturday, the scale of the military operation in Caracas, the nation's capital, was evident.

Pictures from Fuerte Tiuna, a massive army installation in which key officials reside, reveal destroyed structures and burned, smouldering vehicles.

It was at this base where the president and first lady were captured, Venezuelan ruling party leader a party official indicated.

Hours Earlier - Trump Gives the Order

The mission commenced amid reports of blasts at approximately 2 AM local time (06:00 GMT).

American forces cut power to the city, Trump has since said, calling it pitch black and dangerous.

The objective was to disable Venezuela's air defences and clear the path for US military helicopters to reach the target.

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

Targeted sites encompassed the base, a port and an airport. Pictures depict Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with huge flames seen for miles.

Venezuelans have described how American choppers flew low over Caracas, heading for the military base.

A number of the aircraft came under fire, however were still able to fly, military leaders said.

There was significant weapons fire," Trump noted.

A Lightning-Fast Ground Assault

Once on the ground, troops from an elite special operations unit, sprang into action.

They gained access to the compound just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the presidential couple surrendered without a struggle, according to reports.

But, more details emerged. The Maduros tried to escape into a secure location, referred to as a heavily fortified bunker.

The secure room was constructed of steel, and he failed to get inside as our personnel were so fast.

"It was an extremely heavy entryway, a massive door," the President informed the media. He reached to the door. He was unable to close it."

However, even assuming they had managed to get into the safe room, forces could have blown it open in about "under a minute."

From Caracas to New York City

Now in US custody, the couple were moved approximately 3,400 kilometers, to Manhattan.

They were flown from the capital via chopper, and taken to a US warship, a warship stationed in the Caribbean. The operation was back in international waters by 04:29.

It was on the ship that an iconic image from the entire mission was captured - Maduro shackled, with hearing protection and a type of blindfold that looked like dark sunglasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, he was first flown to the US Navy base in Cuba.

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

Confronting Justice in American Soil

On Saturday, a video emerged depicting the detainee at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in New York.

He and Cilia Flores are now detained at a federal holding facility within the city.

They have been charged with planning drug-related terrorism and cocaine trafficking, possession of machine guns and explosives, and plots to acquire such weapons and destructive devices to use against America.

"They will soon face the complete force of the US legal system in the United States in American courts," a senior legal official proclaimed.

Footage shows Maduro's arrival into American and transport into custody.