US media knew about Trump’s Venezuela raid before it happened: Why they held back reporting | Explained

Major US news outlets delayed reporting on a US military raid in Venezuela after government warnings that early disclosure could endanger troops. The episode highlights longstanding media restraint on sensitive operations, even amid strained White House relations.

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Some of the United States’ most influential news organisations knew about the American military raid in Venezuela ahead of time but chose not to report it immediately after being warned that publication could put US troops in danger, according to a report by Semafor.

The report said The New York Times and The Washington Post learned of the operation shortly before it was scheduled to begin on Friday night. Despite having the information, both newsrooms delayed publication for several hours after discussions with the US administration, according to two people familiar with those exchanges.

“The decisions in the New York and Washington newsrooms to maintain official secrecy are in keeping with longstanding American journalistic traditions,” the report said. It noted that the restraint was exercised even as relations between the White House and major legacy media outlets remain strained.

Semafor described the episode as “a rare glimpse at a thread of contact and even cooperation over some of the highest-stakes American national security issues.” It pointed out that the United States does not have a formal legal system that allows the government to block publication of sensitive information. Instead, the decision to withhold reporting rested entirely with the news organisations after officials warned that disclosure could endanger American forces involved in the raid.

The report added that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth did not publicly acknowledge that part of the secrecy around the operation was due to editorial decisions by the media. It said the episode reflected what it called “time-honoured deference” shown by major US outlets in matters involving covert or sensitive military action.

Semafor cited historical examples to underline the pattern. These included The New York Times withholding details before the Bay of Pigs invasion and delaying publication of a report on warrantless wiretapping during the George W Bush administration after officials argued that disclosure could put American lives at risk. More recently, US media organisations also held back reporting on negotiations for a prisoner exchange with Russia involving Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan.

The revelations come after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured during a US military operation in Caracas over the weekend. He was scheduled to appear before a federal judge in New York on Monday.

US President Donald Trump publicly defended the raid and hinted that further action could follow. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “We’re taking back what they stole,” adding, “we’re in charge,” according to Reuters.

Trump warned that the United States could carry out another strike if Venezuela does not cooperate with Washington’s demands, including opening up its oil sector and stepping up efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Maduro faces charges related to narco terrorism conspiracy, with US prosecutors alleging that he supported major drug trafficking organisations and used state institutions to facilitate cocaine shipments. The charges were first filed in 2020 and were updated on Saturday to also include his wife, Cilia Flores.