🔗 Share this article From within that Venezuelan capital stronghold all the way to a New York court: The Venezuelan leader's apprehension in images as well as geographic charts. The US state the armed forces mission to capture Venezuela's president involved many weeks of careful preparation, however when Donald Trump gave the command to launch, "Operation Absolute Resolve" only lasted about 150 minutes. The shocking pre-dawn attack this past weekend signified a historic incident within modern politics and led directly to the detention of Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores de Maduro. Apprehended by soldiers belonging to an elite American military force while they tried to escape inside a fortified secure chamber, the couple are currently in custody in a detention centre in New York and face drug trafficking and terrorism indictments. A Dawn Raid against the Military Complex As the sun rose on Saturday, the magnitude of the military operation in the capital, Venezuela's capital, was clear. Images from Fuerte Tiuna, a massive army installation where senior leadership live, depict blasted buildings and burned, smouldering cars. The location was this facility that Maduro and his wife were apprehended, Venezuelan ruling party leader a party official stated. The major military base, Venezuela's largest armed forces facility, was hit in American airstrikes early on Saturday morning. Just Moments Earlier - The President Issues the Order The mission commenced amid reports of blasts around 02:00 in Caracas (06:00 GMT). American forces cut power across the capital, the President later described, describing it as pitch black and dangerous. The objective was to neutralize Venezuela's air defense systems and clear the way for US military helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna. "We assessed that we had maintained completely the advantage of surprise," a senior military officer commented. Strike locations included the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Pictures depict Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with huge flames visible for miles. Venezuela declared a national emergency in the wake of the US strikes. Residents have described the way US military helicopters flew low over Caracas, heading for Fuerte Tiuna. A number of the aircraft came under fire, however managed to continue flying, officials said. There was significant weapons fire," Trump added. US military helicopters soaring above the capital, with plumes of smoke from prior bombings clearly visible. The Lightning-Fast On-the-Ground Operation Once on the ground, troops from the US Army's Delta Force, sprang into action. They entered the facility just after 2 AM local time, and the Maduros "gave up" without resistance, as per accounts. However, further information were provided. They tried to escape into a safe place, referred to as a military "fortress". 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 told reporters. "He made it the entrance. He could not to close it." However, even assuming they had managed to get into the safe room, forces could have breached it in about "under a minute." From the Capital to Manhattan Currently under American detention, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved approximately 3,400 kilometers, to Manhattan. They were taken by air out of Caracas by helicopter, and taken to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship stationed off the coast. The operation was completed in international waters before 4:30 AM. Aboard the vessel where an iconic image of the whole operation was captured - the president in handcuffs, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear resembling opaque glasses. A photograph showing the detained leader said to be captured aboard the warship. After leaving the ship, he was first flown at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay. They were then flown on a government plane to a military airfield in New York state, and then via helicopter into New York City. An aircraft carrying the Maduros touches down on a landing pad in New York City. The Venezuelan leader was spotted showing a V-sign when he arrived at the landing site in the city. Tight security was present around the helipad during the arrival in Manhattan. Facing Justice in American Soil On Saturday, a video emerged showing the detainee inside the federal drug agency's headquarters in the city. The couple are now being held in a detention centre in the city. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and import cocaine, owning automatic weapons and destructive devices, and plots to acquire such weapons and destructive devices to use against America. They are set to encounter the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," the Attorney General proclaimed. Footage shows Maduro's arrival in US and journey into custody.