The "capture" of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, announced by Donald Trump early on Saturday morning, followed months of escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Venezuela.

While Mr Maduro remained publicly defiant in the face of US pressure to step down — all while the US built up a sizeable military force on Venezuela's doorstep, and carried out dozens of fatal strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels — in private he was taking measures to dodge a potential US strike, and even reportedly negotiating with American officials over a possible managed exit.

Here's what we know so far about Mr Maduro's capture, and how relations between the United States and Venezuela reached such a critical point.