Debunking Venezuelan Celebration Footage and AI Images of Nicolás Maduro.

Computer-created images claiming to depict Nicolás Maduro in custody following his apprehension by the US have garnered tens of millions of impressions across the internet.

The Way Fake Pictures of the President Surfaced Within Hours

Initial fake AI image seemingly displaying him being escorted off a aircraft emerged shortly after. The graphic was not shared any official American sources; it was instead posted on the platform X by an account purporting to be an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.

Our analysis used the SynthID tool, determining the picture was generated or edited with Google AI.

More AI-generated pictures began to spread in the ensuing period, seemingly depicting different views of the leader under guard. Discernible identifying marks on these images reveal they came from an Instagram account named ultravfx.

AI analysis confirms the further pictures were likewise produced using generative models.

Real Photo Posted but Fabrications Continued

Donald Trump released the genuine photograph of Maduro in handcuffs aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. However, despite this real photo was released, AI-generated pictures kept circulating but were altered to show the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro.

Online investigation indicate these updated fakes were originally uploaded on TikTok by a graphic design account. Similarly, SynthID says these further images were generated or edited Google AI.

Main Takeaways:

• Synthetic media spread rapidly following the announcement of Maduro's capture.
• The initial fabricated image appeared on the same day on platform X.
• Detection software like AI-watermark detectors helped to confirm the pictures as synthetic.
• Fake images continued to circulate and evolve despite the publication of real photographs.
• The source of many fabricated images was traced to social media profiles focused on AI art.