🔗 Share this article From within that Caracas stronghold to the Manhattan courtroom: Maduro's capture in pictures and geographic charts. The US state the armed forces mission aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader involved months of careful preparation, however the moment the US President gave the order to launch, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" concluded after about two and a half hours. The shocking pre-dawn attack this past weekend signified a historic event within contemporary international relations and resulted in the detention for Venezuela's president along with his spouse, Cilia Flores de Maduro. Seized by soldiers from a top-tier American military force as they attempted to escape inside a heavily secured safe room, the two are now being held at a holding facility within New York City and face drug trafficking and terrorism indictments. A Dawn Raid on the Military Complex As the sun rose on Saturday, the scale of the armed intervention in the capital, the nation's primary city, was evident. Images of Fuerte Tiuna, a massive army installation in which senior leadership live, depict bombed out buildings as well as burned, smouldering vehicles. It was at this base that the president and first lady were captured, a senior political figure Nahum Fernández reported. The major military base, the country's biggest military complex, was targeted in American airstrikes early on Saturday morning. Just Moments Before - Trump Issues the Command "Operation Absolute Resolve" began amid reports of explosions at about 2 AM in Caracas (06:00 GMT). The US cut power to the city, the President later described, describing it as "dark and deadly". The aim was to neutralize the nation's air defences and open up the way for US military helicopters to get to Fuerte Tiuna. Our evaluation was that we had maintained completely the advantage of surprise," the top general commented. Targeted sites encompassed the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Images depict the complex engulfed in flames, with massive fires seen for miles. The country announced a national emergency in the wake of the American attacks. Residents have described how American choppers flew low over Caracas, heading for Fuerte Tiuna. Some of the helicopters were shot at, but were still able to fly, officials stated. There was significant weapons fire," Trump added. American aircraft soaring above the capital, with plumes of smoke from earlier air strikes plainly seen. The Rapid On-the-Ground Operation Once on the ground, troops from the US Army's Delta Force, sprang into action. They gained access the facility just after 2 AM local time, and the Maduros "gave up" without resistance, as per reports. However, more details emerged. They attempted to flee into a safe place, described as a heavily fortified bunker. The secure room was constructed of steel, and he failed to make it inside because our guys were so fast. It featured an extremely heavy door, a massive door," the President told reporters. "He made it to the door. He could not to close it." However, even assuming they had succeeded to enter the safe room, troops could have breached it in about "47 seconds". From the Capital to Manhattan Currently under American detention, the couple were transported some 3,400 kilometers, to New York City. They were flown from the capital by helicopter, and taken to the USS Iwo Jima, a naval vessel stationed off the coast. The operation was completed in international waters before 4:30 AM. Aboard the vessel that an iconic image of the whole operation emerged - the president shackled, with hearing protection and a type of blindfold resembling opaque glasses. An image of Maduro said to be taken on board the USS Iwo Jima. After leaving the ship, his initial stop was at the American naval installation in Cuba. They were then flown via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, and then via helicopter to Manhattan. A helicopter carrying the Maduros lands at a helipad in Manhattan. The Venezuelan leader was spotted showing a V-sign upon arrival at a heliport in the city. Tight security was present around the helipad as the Maduros arrived in Manhattan. Confronting Justice on American Soil That same day, a video emerged showing Maduro inside the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in the city. The couple are now detained in a detention centre within the city. They face charges with conspiracy to commit drug-related terrorism and cocaine trafficking, owning machine guns and destructive devices, and plots to possess such weapons and destructive devices against the US. They are set to encounter the full wrath of the US legal system on American soil within US courtrooms," the Attorney General declared. Video documents the leader's entry into American and journey into custody.