Debunking Venezuela Celebration Footage and AI Images of Nicolás Maduro.
AI-generated images claiming to show Nicolás Maduro in custody after his capture by the United States have garnered tens of millions of impressions on social media.
How AI Images of the President Emerged Soon After
The first fake AI image apparently showing him being escorted off a aircraft surfaced a brief time later. The graphic was not shared any verified US channels; rather, it was uploaded on X by an profile purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, confirming the image was produced or modified with AI tools.
Additional AI-generated visuals started circulating in the ensuing period, seemingly depicting more angles of Maduro under guard. Visible watermarks on these images indicate they originated from an Instagram account named ultravfx.
The detection tool indicates all of these images were similarly created or altered Google AI.
Real Photo Posted but Fakes Continued
The former US president released the first real photo of Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. Yet following this real photo was published, synthetic pictures persisted online but were updated to incorporate the grey tracksuit seen on Maduro.
Online investigation show these updated fakes were originally uploaded on TikTok by a graphic design profile. Again, the AI-watermark detector confirms these subsequent pictures were created or altered Google AI.
Important Facts:
- Synthetic media spread rapidly after the announcement of the president's apprehension.
- The first fake image appeared on the same day on social media.
- Detection software like AI-watermark detectors were used to confirm the images as AI-generated.
- Fake images continued to spread and evolve despite the release of real photographs.
- The source of many fakes was traced to specific online profiles focused on AI art.
