From within the Venezuelan capital 'fort' to the Manhattan court: Maduro's apprehension through photographs and maps.

American officials state the armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader involved many weeks of planning, but the moment Donald Trump issued the command to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" was completed in approximately two and a half hours.

The unexpected pre-dawn attack on Saturday signified an unprecedented event in modern politics and led directly to the detention for Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro.

Seized by troops from a top-tier American military force when they attempted to escape into a fortified secure chamber, the couple are currently detained at a holding facility within New York City and face drug trafficking and terrorism indictments.

The Early Morning Raid against Fuerte Tiuna

At sunrise that morning, the magnitude of the military operation in Caracas, the nation's capital, became apparent.

Photographs of the vast military base, a massive army installation where key officials live, reveal bombed out buildings and burned, smouldering cars.

It was at this facility that the president and first lady were apprehended, a senior political figure Nahum Fernández reported.

Just Moments Before - Trump Issues the Order

"Operation Absolute Resolve" began with reports of explosions at approximately 2 AM in Caracas (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

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

The aim was to neutralize Venezuela's air defences and open up the way for American assault helicopters to reach the target.

Our evaluation was that we had maintained totally the advantage of surprise," a senior military officer stated.

Strike locations included the base, a port and an airfield. Pictures depict the complex engulfed in flames, with massive fires visible from a great distance.

Venezuelans reported how US military helicopters flew low above the city, heading for the military base.

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

There was significant weapons fire," Trump added.

The Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation

After landing, forces from the US Army's Delta Force, acted with speed.

They gained access the facility just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the Maduros surrendered without resistance, as per accounts.

But, further information were provided. They attempted to flee into a safe place, described as a military "fortress".

"The safe place was constructed of steel, and he failed to get inside because our guys were so fast.

It featured a very thick door, a very heavy door," the President told reporters. He reached to the door. He could not to shut it."

However, even assuming they had managed to get into the bunker, troops could have breached it in approximately "under a minute."

From the Capital to New York City

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

They were flown from the capital by helicopter, and transferred to a US warship, a warship stationed in the Caribbean. The operation was completed "over the water" before 4:30 AM.

Aboard the vessel where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - the president shackled, wearing ear protectors and a type of blindfold resembling opaque glasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, his initial stop was at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay.

The Maduros were then flown via official aircraft to a military airfield in New York state, and then via helicopter into New York City.

Facing Justice on American Soil

That same day, a video emerged depicting the detainee at the federal drug agency's headquarters in New York.

The couple are presently being held in a detention centre in 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 destructive devices against the US.

"They will soon face the full wrath of the US legal system in the United States within US courtrooms," the Attorney General proclaimed.

Video shows the leader's entry in US and journey to detention.