🔗 Share this article From the Caracas stronghold all the way to a New York court: Maduro's seizure through photographs and maps. American officials claim the military operation aimed at apprehending Venezuela's leader required many weeks of careful preparation, yet the moment Donald Trump gave the order to commence, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" was completed in about 150 minutes. The unexpected pre-dawn assault this past weekend marked an unprecedented incident in contemporary international relations and culminated in the detention for Venezuela's president and his wife, Cilia Flores. Captured by soldiers from an elite American military force while they tried to escape inside a fortified secure chamber, the pair are currently detained in a detention centre in New York and are confronting narco-terrorism charges. A Dawn Raid on the Military Complex With daybreak on Saturday, the extent of the military operation in the capital, the nation's capital, was evident. Images from the vast military base, a huge military complex in which key officials live, depict blasted structures as well as charred, smouldering vehicles. The location was this compound where Maduro and his wife were captured, Venezuelan ruling party leader a party official indicated. The major military base, the country's biggest armed forces facility, was struck by US strikes in the early hours of that Saturday. Hours Before - The President Issues the Order "Operation Absolute Resolve" began with reports of explosions at approximately 2 AM local time (06:00 GMT). The US cut power to the city, Trump has since said, describing it as pitch black and dangerous. The goal was to neutralize the nation's air defense systems and open up the way for American assault helicopters to get to the target. "We assessed that we had maintained totally the advantage of surprise," the top general remarked. Targeted sites included the compound, a port and an airfield. Images show the complex engulfed in flames, with huge flames visible for miles. Venezuela announced a national emergency following the American attacks. Residents reported how US military helicopters flew at low altitude above the city, en route to the military base. Some of the helicopters came under fire, however were still able to fly, military leaders said. There was significant gunfire," Trump added. American aircraft soaring above Caracas, with plumes of smoke from earlier air strikes plainly seen. A Lightning-Fast Ground Assault Once on the ground, troops from the US Army's Delta Force, acted with speed. They entered the facility just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the presidential couple surrendered without a struggle, according to accounts. But, further information emerged. The Maduros attempted to flee into a secure location, described as a military "fortress". The secure room was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to get to the door because our guys were too quick. It featured a very thick door, a very heavy door," Trump told reporters. He reached to the door. He was unable to close it." But even if they had succeeded to enter the bunker, forces could have breached it in approximately "47 seconds". From the Capital to Manhattan Now in US custody, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved some 3,400 kilometers, to Manhattan. They were flown from the capital via chopper, and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship stationed in the Caribbean. The team was completed "over the water" before 4:30 AM. It was on the ship that one of the defining pictures from the entire mission was captured - the president in handcuffs, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear resembling dark sunglasses. An image showing the detained leader reportedly taken on board the warship. From the USS Iwo Jima, he was first flown at the American naval installation in Cuba. They then traveled via official aircraft to a military airfield in New York state, before a final helicopter transfer to Manhattan. An aircraft transporting the Maduros touches down on a landing pad in Manhattan. Maduro was spotted showing a peace sign upon arrival at a heliport in the city. Tight security was present around the helipad as the Maduros arrived in Manhattan. Confronting Justice in US Territory On Saturday, a video was released depicting Maduro at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in the city. The couple are now 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 possess machine guns and bombs against the US. They are set to encounter the complete force of American justice in the United States in American courts," the Attorney General declared. Footage shows Maduro's arrival into American and transport to detention.