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AI-generated graphics claiming to show Venezuela's president under arrest after his capture by the United States have amassed tens of millions of views on social media.

How AI Images of Maduro Appeared Within Hours

Initial inauthentic AI image apparently showing him being escorted off a aircraft emerged a brief time later. The graphic was unpublished by any verified government accounts; rather, it was uploaded on the platform X by an account describing itself as an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.

Our analysis used the SynthID tool, confirming the image was produced or modified with Google AI.

Further synthetic images were disseminated in the following period, seemingly depicting different views of Maduro under guard. Noticeable watermarks on these pictures indicate they came from an Instagram account called ultravfx.

AI analysis confirms the further pictures were also produced using Google AI.

Authentic Image Posted but Fabrications Persisted

The former US president shared the initial authentic image of Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs aboard the US Navy ship on that morning. However, despite this real photo was published, synthetic pictures kept circulating but were modified to show the gray sweatsuit seen on Maduro.

Online investigation reveal the new fake images were first posted on the video platform by a graphic design account. Once again, analysis confirms these further images were created or altered generative artificial intelligence.

Main Takeaways:

• Synthetic media circulated quickly following the news of the president's apprehension.
• The initial fabricated picture appeared within hours on platform X.
• Tools like Google’s SynthID helped to verify the images as synthetic.
• Fake images continued to spread and evolve even after the release of authentic photographs.
• The source of several fakes was linked to specific online accounts focused on AI art.