Debunking Venezuelan Celebration Footage and AI Images of Maduro.
Synthetic graphics claiming to show Nicolás Maduro under arrest following his capture by the United States have garnered tens of millions of impressions on social media.
How AI Images of Maduro Surfaced Rapidly
Initial fake AI image seemingly showing him being escorted off a plane surfaced shortly after. This image was unpublished by any authoritative American sources; rather, it was published on X by an profile purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, which found the picture was produced or modified with AI tools.
More AI-generated pictures were disseminated in the subsequent period, appearing to show additional perspectives of Maduro under guard. Discernible watermarks on these images show they came from an Instagram account called ultravfx.
The detection tool indicates these additional pictures were also generated or edited generative models.
Authentic Image Posted but Fakes Persisted
Donald Trump posted the initial authentic image of Nicolás Maduro restrained aboard the USS Iwo Jima on that morning. Yet following this real photo was published, synthetic images kept circulating but were altered to incorporate the gray sweatsuit worn by Maduro.
Online investigation indicate the new fake images were originally uploaded on TikTok by a graphic design profile. Again, analysis confirms these subsequent pictures were created or altered Google AI.
Important Facts:
- Synthetic media gained traction after the announcement of Maduro's capture.
- The first fake picture was shared very quickly on social media.
- Tools like Google’s SynthID were used to confirm the images as inauthentic.
- Fake images continued to circulate and be updated despite the release of authentic photographs.
- The source of many fabricated images was linked to social media profiles focused on AI art.
