🔗 Share this article From the Venezuelan capital 'fort' all the way to the Manhattan court: Maduro's seizure through photographs and geographic charts. American officials claim their armed forces mission to capture the South American nation's leader took many weeks of planning, but the moment Donald Trump gave the command to commence, "Operation Absolute Resolve" only lasted about two and a half hours. The unexpected early-morning strike on Saturday represented an unprecedented event in contemporary international relations and led directly to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro along with his spouse, Cilia Flores. Apprehended by soldiers from an elite American military force while they attempted to escape inside a heavily secured secure chamber, the couple are now detained at a holding facility in New York and face narco-terrorism accusations. The Dawn Assault against Fuerte Tiuna As the sun rose on Saturday, the magnitude of the military operation in the capital, the nation's primary city, was clear. Pictures from the vast military base, an enormous army installation in which senior leadership live, depict destroyed structures and burned, smouldering cars. It was at this facility that the president and first lady were apprehended, Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández stated. The major military base, Venezuela's largest military complex, was struck in American airstrikes early on that Saturday. Hours Before - Trump Issues the Command The mission started amid reports of explosions at about 02:00 in Caracas (06:00 GMT). The US disabled electricity to the city, the President later described, calling it "dark and deadly". The goal was to neutralize the nation's air defences and open up the way for American assault helicopters to reach Fuerte Tiuna. "We assessed that we had maintained totally the advantage of surprise," the top general stated. Strike locations encompassed the compound, a port and an airport. Pictures show Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, with massive fires seen for miles. The country declared a national emergency following the US strikes. Residents have described the way American choppers flew at low altitude above the city, en route to Fuerte Tiuna. A number of the aircraft were shot at, however were still able to fly, military leaders stated. "It was a lot of gunfire," the President noted. American aircraft soaring above Caracas, with plumes of smoke from earlier air strikes clearly visible. A Rapid Ground Assault Once on the ground, forces from an elite special operations unit, acted with speed. They gained access the facility at 02:01 local time, and the presidential couple surrendered without a struggle, according to accounts. But, more details were provided. The Maduros attempted to flee into a secure location, described as a military "fortress". The secure room was constructed of steel, and he failed to get to the door because our guys were so fast. It featured an extremely heavy entryway, a very heavy door," the President told reporters. "He made it to the door. He was unable to shut it." But even if they had succeeded to enter the bunker, forces could have blown it open in about "under a minute." From Caracas to Manhattan Currently under American detention, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved approximately 2,100 miles, to Manhattan. They were flown from the capital by helicopter, and taken to the USS Iwo Jima, a naval vessel positioned off the coast. The operation was back in international waters by 04:29. Aboard the vessel that one of the defining pictures of the whole operation emerged - the president shackled, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear resembling dark sunglasses. A photograph of Maduro said to be taken on board the USS Iwo Jima. After leaving the ship, he was first flown at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay. The Maduros then traveled via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state, and then via helicopter into New York City. A helicopter transporting the detainees lands at a helipad in New York City. The Venezuelan leader was spotted flashing a V-sign upon arrival at a heliport in the city. Tight security was present around the helipad during the arrival in New York City. Facing Justice on American Soil On Saturday, footage was released showing the detainee inside the federal drug agency's main office in the city. He and Cilia Flores are presently being held at a federal holding facility in the city. They face charges with planning drug-related terrorism and import cocaine, owning automatic weapons and explosives, and plots to acquire such weapons and destructive devices to use against America. "They will soon face the full wrath of the US legal system on American soil within US courtrooms," a senior legal official proclaimed. Video shows Maduro's arrival in US and journey into custody.