🔗 Share this article

American officials state the military operation aimed at apprehending the South American nation's leader took months of careful preparation, yet when Donald Trump issued the command to launch, the mission dubbed "Absolute Resolve" was completed in roughly 150 minutes.

The unexpected early-morning attack on Saturday represented a never-before-seen incident within modern politics and culminated in the arrest for Venezuela's president and his spouse, Cilia Flores de Maduro.

Captured by troops from an elite US army unit when they tried to flee inside a fortified safe room, the two are now detained at a holding facility within New York City and face narco-terrorism charges.

The Dawn Assault against Fuerte Tiuna

With daybreak that morning, the extent of the military operation in the capital, the nation's primary city, became apparent.

Photographs from the vast military base, a huge military complex in which top government officials live, reveal blasted structures and charred, smouldering vehicles.

The location was this base where the president and first lady were apprehended, Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández reported.

Just Moments Before - The President Gives the Command

"Operation Absolute Resolve" began with reports of blasts at about 2 AM in Caracas (6:00 Greenwich Mean Time).

The US disabled electricity across the capital, 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 path for American assault helicopters to get to the target.

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

Targeted sites encompassed the base, a maritime facility and an airfield. Pictures show the complex engulfed in flames, with massive fires visible from a great distance.

Residents reported the way US military helicopters flew low above the city, heading for the military base.

A number of the aircraft were shot at, however were still able to fly, officials said.

There was a lot of weapons fire," the President noted.

A Lightning-Fast Ground Assault

Once on the ground, troops from an elite special operations unit, sprang into action.

They gained access to the compound just after 2 AM Caracas time, and the Maduros "gave up" without resistance, according to reports.

But, more details emerged. The Maduros tried to escape into a secure location, described as a military "fortress".

The secure room was constructed of steel, and he wasn't able to make it inside because our guys were too quick.

It featured a very thick entryway, a massive door," the President told reporters. He reached the entrance. He was unable to close it."

However, even assuming they had managed to enter the safe room, troops could have blown it open in approximately "47 seconds".

From Caracas to Manhattan

Currently under American detention, the couple were transported approximately 2,100 miles, to Manhattan.

They were flown out of Caracas via chopper, and taken to a US warship, a warship stationed off the coast. The team was back in international waters before 4:30 AM.

It was on the ship where an iconic image from the entire mission emerged - the president shackled, with hearing protection and darkened eyewear resembling opaque glasses.

After leaving the ship, his initial stop was at the American naval installation at Guantánamo Bay.

The Maduros were then flown via official aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, and then via helicopter to Manhattan.

Facing The Legal System in American Soil

On Saturday, a video was released depicting the detainee inside the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) headquarters in New York.

He and Cilia Flores are presently detained in a detention centre within the city.

They face charges with planning narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, owning machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to acquire such weapons and destructive devices against the US.

They are set to encounter the complete force of American justice in the United States within US courtrooms," a senior legal official proclaimed.

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