From within the Venezuelan capital stronghold to a New York court: Maduro's apprehension through photographs and maps.
The US claim their armed forces mission aimed at apprehending Venezuela's president required many weeks of planning, yet when the US President issued the order to launch, "Operation Absolute Resolve" was completed in approximately two and a half hours.
The unexpected early-morning attack on Saturday signified an unprecedented event within modern politics and resulted in the detention of NicolĂĄs Maduro along with his spouse, Cilia Flores de Maduro.
Seized by soldiers from an elite American military force while they attempted to escape inside a fortified safe room, the couple are now being held at a holding facility within New York City and are confronting drug trafficking and terrorism charges.
The Dawn Assault on the Military Complex
As the sun rose that morning, the magnitude of the military operation in Caracas, the nation's primary city, was evident.
Photographs of Fuerte Tiuna, a massive military complex in which top government officials live, reveal bombed out structures as well as burned, smouldering cars.
It was at this base that Maduro and his wife were captured, a senior political figure Nahum FernĂĄndez reported.
Just Moments Earlier - Trump Gives the Command
"Operation Absolute Resolve" started with reports of blasts around 2 AM local time (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).
The US disabled electricity across the capital, the President has since said, describing it as "dark and deadly".
The aim was to disable Venezuela's air defense systems and open up the way for US military helicopters to get to the target.
Our evaluation was that we successfully kept completely the element of surprise", a senior military officer stated.
Targeted sites encompassed the compound, a maritime facility and an airport. Images depict Fuerte Tiuna on fire, with huge flames seen from a great distance.
Venezuelans have described how US military helicopters flew at low altitude over Caracas, heading for the military base.
Some of the helicopters were shot at, however managed to continue flying, military leaders stated.
"It was a lot of weapons fire," Trump noted.
A Rapid Ground Assault
Once on the ground, troops from the US Army's Delta Force, moved quickly.
They gained access the facility just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the presidential couple surrendered without resistance, according to accounts.
However, further information were provided. They attempted to flee into a secure location, described as a heavily fortified bunker.
The secure room was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to make it to the door as our personnel were too quick.
"It was an extremely heavy entryway, a very heavy door," the President told reporters. He reached to the door. He could not to close it."
However, even assuming they had managed to get into the bunker, forces could have breached it in approximately "47 seconds".
From Caracas to Manhattan
Now in US custody, NicolĂĄs Maduro and his wife were moved approximately 2,100 miles, to New York City.
They were flown out of Caracas via chopper, and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, a naval vessel stationed in the Caribbean. The operation was completed in international waters by 04:29.
Aboard the vessel where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - Maduro in handcuffs, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear that looked like opaque glasses.
After leaving the ship, his initial stop was at the American naval installation in Cuba.
They then traveled on a government plane to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, and then via helicopter into New York City.
Confronting The Legal System in US Territory
On Saturday, footage emerged showing the detainee at the federal drug agency's main office in New York.
The couple are now detained at a federal holding facility in the city.
They have been charged with conspiracy to commit drug-related terrorism and import cocaine, possession of automatic weapons and explosives, and plots to acquire such weapons and destructive devices against the US.
"They will soon face the full wrath of the US legal system in the United States in American courts," a senior legal official declared.
Footage shows Maduro's arrival into American and journey into custody.
