From that Venezuelan capital 'fort' all the way to a New York court: Maduro's capture in photographs as well as geographic charts.

The US state the armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader took months of careful preparation, yet when the US President issued the command to commence, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" concluded after roughly two and a half hours.

The unexpected early-morning attack on Saturday signified a historic incident within contemporary international relations and resulted in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Apprehended by soldiers from an elite US army unit as they attempted to flee inside a fortified secure chamber, the pair are now being held in a detention centre in New York and are confronting narco-terrorism indictments.

The Early Morning Assault against Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak that morning, the magnitude of the military operation in the capital, Venezuela's primary city, was evident.

Pictures of the vast military base, a huge military complex in which key officials reside, show bombed out structures as well as burned, smouldering cars.

The location was this compound where the president and first lady were apprehended, Venezuelan ruling party leader a party official reported.

Hours Before - Trump Gives the Command

"Operation Absolute Resolve" began amid reports of blasts at about 02:00 in Caracas (06:00 GMT).

American forces disabled electricity across the capital, Trump has since said, describing it as pitch black and dangerous.

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

Our evaluation was that we successfully kept completely the advantage of surprise," a senior military officer remarked.

Strike locations encompassed the base, a maritime facility and an airfield. Pictures show the complex on fire, with huge flames seen from a great distance.

Residents have described the way US military helicopters flew at low altitude above the city, en route to the military base.

A number of the aircraft came under fire, but managed to continue flying, officials stated.

There was a lot of weapons fire," the President noted.

A Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

Once on the ground, forces 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 "gave up" without resistance, according to reports.

However, more details emerged. They attempted to flee into a secure location, referred to as a military "fortress".

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

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

But even if they had succeeded to enter the bunker, troops could have breached it in approximately "under a minute."

From Caracas to Manhattan

Currently under American detention, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved approximately 2,100 miles, to New York City.

They were flown from the capital by helicopter, and transferred to a US warship, a warship stationed off the coast. The team was back "over the water" by 04:29.

Aboard the vessel where an iconic image of the whole operation emerged - Maduro in handcuffs, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear that looked like opaque glasses.

After leaving the ship, his initial stop was at the American naval installation in Cuba.

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

Confronting The Legal System in US Territory

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

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

They face charges including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and import cocaine, owning automatic weapons and explosives, and conspiracy to possess such weapons and bombs against the US.

They are set to encounter the full wrath of the US legal system on American soil in American courts," the Attorney General proclaimed.

Footage documents the leader's entry in US and transport to detention.