Debunking Venezuelan Celebration Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.

Computer-created graphics claiming to depict Nicolás Maduro in custody following his capture by the US have gained tens of millions of views on social media.

The Way Fake Pictures of Maduro Emerged Within Hours

Initial fake synthetic picture apparently displaying him being escorted off a aircraft emerged shortly after. The graphic was absent from any verified government accounts; it was instead uploaded on the platform X by an profile purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.

Verification involved the SynthID tool, which found the picture was produced or modified with Google AI.

Additional AI-generated images began to spread in the ensuing period, appearing to show different views of Maduro in custody. Discernible identifying marks on these images reveal they came from an Instagram profile called ultravfx.

SynthID says all of these pictures were likewise produced using Google AI.

Authentic Image Released but Fakes Continued

Donald Trump released the genuine photograph of Maduro in handcuffs aboard the US Navy ship on that morning. But even after this real photo was published, AI-generated pictures kept circulating but were altered to show the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro.

Online investigation reveal these altered fabrications were initially shared on the video platform by a graphic design profile. Similarly, SynthID says these subsequent pictures were created or altered AI tools.

Important Facts:

• Synthetic media spread rapidly after the events of Maduro's capture.
• The initial fabricated picture was shared very quickly on platform X.
• Tools like Google’s SynthID were used to identify the images as synthetic.
• Fabrications persisted to spread and be updated even after the publication of real photographs.
• The origin of many fabricated images was linked to social media profiles dedicated to AI art.