Unmasking Venezuela Victory Videos and AI Images of Nicolás Maduro.
Synthetic images claiming to show Nicolás Maduro under arrest after his capture by the American authorities have gained many millions of impressions on social media.
The Way AI Images of Maduro Emerged Within Hours
The first fake AI image apparently showing him being escorted off a aircraft circulated a brief time later. The picture was unpublished by any verified US channels; it was instead posted on the platform X by an profile describing itself as an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used the SynthID tool, confirming the image was created or altered with Google AI.
Further synthetic images started circulating in the subsequent period, seemingly depicting more angles of the leader detained. Noticeable watermarks on the graphics reveal they were posted by an Instagram account called ultravfx.
SynthID says the further images were also created or altered AI technology.
Real Photo Released but Fabrications Continued
Donald Trump posted the initial authentic image of Nicolás Maduro handcuffed aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. However, despite the authentic image was released, AI-generated images kept circulating but were modified to show the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro.
Reverse image searches show these updated fakes were originally uploaded on the video platform by a graphic design profile. Once again, analysis says the new graphics were produced with generative artificial intelligence.
Important Facts:
- Deepfakes circulated quickly following the events of Maduro's capture.
- The initial fabricated picture appeared on the same day on platform X.
- Tools like AI-watermark detectors were used to verify the pictures as AI-generated.
- Fake images continued to circulate and be updated even after the release of real images.
- The source of many fabricated images was linked to social media profiles dedicated to graphic design.
