Acontroversy has erupted over the British Broadcasting Corporation’s editorial handling of the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after popular socialist commentator Owen Jones revealed that BBC journalists have been barred from describing the incident as a “kidnapping.”
Jones made the disclosure on X, stating that the BBC News Editor circulated an internal notice directing staff on the language to use when reporting the incident involving Maduro, who was taken into United States custody and transferred to New York.
According to the notice shared by Jones, the BBC News Editor wrote: “As discussed in the Nine. To ensure clarity and consistency in our reporting, please follow these guidelines when describing the recent events in Venezuela.”
The directive went on to specify acceptable terminology, stating: “‘Captured’ – Please attribute this to the U.S. description of the operation. Example: ‘The U.S. said Maduro was captured during the operation.’”
It further added: “‘Seized’ – Acceptable for use in our own reporting where appropriate.”
However, the memo expressly cautioned journalists: “Avoid using ‘Kidnapped.’ Thanks for keeping this in mind as you work on related stories.”
The BBC’s internal guidance has drawn criticism, particularly in light of comments by United States President Donald Trump, who appeared unbothered by the use of the term the BBC warned against.
BBC journalists have been banned from describing the kidnapped Venezuelan leader as having been kidnapped.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists. pic.twitter.com/jn9qQZkVAH
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed that he had spoken with Venezuela’s Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez following Maduro’s arrest and her assumption of office as interim president. Maduro, Trump said, had been taken into U.S. custody and moved to New York.
Rodriguez had earlier described Maduro’s detention as “kidnapping,” a term Trump said he did not object to. Responding to questions about her remarks, Trump said: “It’s alright. It’s not a bad term.”
Trump added that he had spoken with Rodriguez after she assumed the role of interim president and dismissed suggestions of resistance from Caracas, saying: “You hear a different person than I hear,” while noting that the interim government had been “very good.”
Meanwhile, Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had also pleaded not guilty during their first court appearance in New York following what U.S. authorities described as a surprise operation that led to their arrest.
Maduro is facing a narco-terrorism conspiracy charge, while both he and Flores were charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, as well as weapons-related offences.
Addressing the court, Maduro, who claimed he remained the president of Venezuela, said he was “kidnapped” and “captured” from his residence in Caracas, adding in Spanish: “I am a prisoner of war.” Flores also described herself as the first lady of Venezuela during the proceedings.
United States President Donald Trump said the US was now “in charge” of Venezuela, warning the country’s interim leadership to cooperate or face a “very big price.”
Following Maduro’s removal, Delcy Rodríguez, who served as vice president under his administration, was sworn in as Venezuela’s new president in the capital, Caracas.
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