The New York Times and Washington Post delayed publishing details of a secret U.S. military raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after learning of it shortly before the operation began on the night of January 2-3, 2026, in order to avoid endangering American troops.
Senior editors at both outlets agreed to hold their stories for several hours following warnings from the Trump administration that premature reporting could expose and jeopardize U.S. forces involved in the high-risk mission.
The raid, part of Operation Absolute Resolve, involved over 150 U.S. aircraft disabling Venezuelan air defenses, followed by elite Delta Force commandos seizing Maduro and his wife from a compound in Caracas. The operation succeeded without U.S. fatalities, and the outlets published afterward.
This voluntary restraint aligns with longstanding U.S. journalistic practices during sensitive national security operations, where media sometimes withhold details to protect lives—despite no legal mechanism forcing such delays, unlike in some other countries.
Historical examples include delays on stories about the Bay of Pigs invasion, NSA warrantless wiretapping, and recent prisoner exchanges.
The decision has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions between the press and the administration, but sources familiar with the matter emphasized it was driven by ethical considerations for troop safety rather than partisanship.
The raid itself has sparked broader debates over its legality, international reactions, and U.S. intentions in Venezuela.