From that Venezuelan capital stronghold all the way to a Manhattan court: Maduro's capture in images as well as geographic charts.

The US assert their armed forces mission aimed at apprehending Venezuela's president took months of careful preparation, however the moment the US President gave the order to launch, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" was completed in approximately two and a half hours.

The unexpected pre-dawn attack this past weekend signified a historic event in modern politics and culminated in the arrest for Venezuela's president along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

Seized by soldiers belonging to an elite US army unit when they attempted to escape into a fortified secure chamber, the couple are now being held in a detention centre in New York and face narco-terrorism indictments.

A Dawn Assault against Fuerte Tiuna

As the sun rose that morning, the scale of the armed intervention in the capital, Venezuela's primary city, was evident.

Images from Fuerte Tiuna, a huge army installation where key officials live, show blasted structures and burned, smouldering cars.

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

Hours Earlier - Trump Issues the Order

The mission commenced with reports of explosions around 02:00 in Caracas (06:00 GMT).

The US cut power to the city, the President later described, calling it "dark and deadly".

The aim was to disable Venezuela's air defense systems and clear the way for US military helicopters to get to the target.

Our evaluation was that we had maintained completely the element of surprise", the top general commented.

Strike locations included the base, a port and an airfield. Pictures show Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with massive fires seen for miles.

Venezuelans reported how American choppers flew low above the city, en route to Fuerte Tiuna.

A number of the aircraft came under fire, however were still able to fly, military leaders stated.

There was significant gunfire," the President added.

A Rapid On-the-Ground Operation

Once on the ground, forces from an elite special operations unit, acted with speed.

They gained access to the compound just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the Maduros surrendered without a struggle, according to accounts.

However, more details emerged. The Maduros attempted to flee into a safe place, referred to as a heavily fortified bunker.

"The safe place was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to make it inside as our personnel were so fast.

It featured a very thick entryway, a massive door," Trump informed the media. He reached the entrance. He could not to close it."

But even if they had succeeded to get into the safe room, forces could have blown it open in about "under a minute."

From the Capital to Manhattan

Now in US custody, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were moved some 2,100 miles, to Manhattan.

They were flown out of Caracas via chopper, and transferred to a US warship, a naval vessel positioned off the coast. The operation was completed in international waters before 4:30 AM.

It was on the ship where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - the president shackled, wearing ear protectors and darkened eyewear that looked like dark sunglasses.

From the USS Iwo Jima, he was first flown to the US Navy base in Cuba.

The Maduros then traveled via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state, before a final helicopter transfer to Manhattan.

Facing The Legal System on US Territory

That same day, footage emerged showing Maduro at the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) main office in New York.

The couple are now being held at a federal holding facility in the city.

They face charges with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and import cocaine, owning machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons and bombs to use against America.

They are set to encounter the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," the Attorney General declared.

Video shows the leader's entry in US and journey into custody.