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American officials state their military operation aimed at apprehending Venezuela's president required months of planning, but the moment Donald Trump issued the order to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" was completed in about 150 minutes.

The unexpected pre-dawn assault on Saturday represented an unprecedented incident in modern politics and resulted in the detention for Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores.

Apprehended by soldiers from an elite American military force when they attempted to escape inside a fortified secure chamber, the pair are currently detained in a detention centre in New York and are confronting drug trafficking and terrorism indictments.

A Early Morning Assault on Fuerte Tiuna

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

Pictures of the vast military base, a massive military complex where key officials live, depict bombed out structures as well as burned, smouldering vehicles.

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

Just Moments Before - The President Gives the Command

The mission started with reports of blasts at about 02:00 local time (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

The US cut power across the capital, Trump later described, calling it "dark and deadly".

The objective was to neutralize Venezuela's air defences and clear the path for American assault helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna.

Our evaluation was that we had maintained completely the element of surprise", the top general commented.

Targeted sites included the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Images depict Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, with massive fires visible from a great distance.

Residents reported the way US military helicopters flew at low altitude above the city, heading for the military base.

Some of the helicopters came under fire, but managed to continue flying, military leaders said.

There was significant weapons fire," Trump added.

A Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

Once on the ground, forces from an elite special operations unit, moved quickly.

They entered to the compound at 02:01 Caracas time, and the Maduros surrendered without a struggle, as per accounts.

But, more details emerged. The Maduros attempted to flee into a secure location, described as a heavily fortified bunker.

"The safe place 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," Trump informed the media. "He made it to the door. He was unable to shut it."

But even if they had managed to get into the safe room, forces could have breached it in about "47 seconds".

From the Capital to New York City

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

They were taken by air from the capital via chopper, and transferred to a US warship, a warship positioned in the Caribbean. The team was completed "over the water" before 4:30 AM.

Aboard the vessel that an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - Maduro in handcuffs, 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 at Guantánamo Bay.

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

Facing The Legal System in US Territory

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

The couple are now being held at a federal holding facility within the city.

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

"They will soon face the complete force of the US legal system on American soil within US courtrooms," the Attorney General proclaimed.

Video shows the leader's entry in US and transport into custody.