🔗 Share this article Exposing Venezuela Celebration Videos and AI Images of Maduro. Computer-created graphics claiming to depict Nicolás Maduro in custody following his apprehension by the American authorities have amassed many millions of impressions on social media. How AI Images of Maduro Appeared Rapidly The first fabricated AI image seemingly displaying him led off a plane circulated within hours. The graphic was absent from any authoritative American sources; it was instead uploaded on X by an profile purporting to be an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”. Our analysis used Google’s SynthID, determining the picture was created or altered with generative AI. More synthetic visuals started circulating in the following period, purporting to present more angles of Maduro detained. Discernible identifying marks on these pictures show they came from an Instagram profile called ultravfx. The detection tool indicates these additional pictures were similarly produced using Google AI. Authentic Image Posted but Fabrications Continued Donald Trump released the first real photo of Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs aboard the US Navy ship on Saturday morning. Yet following this confirmation was released, synthetic images kept circulating but were updated to show the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro. Online investigation show these updated fakes were originally uploaded on the video platform by a digital art account. Once again, the AI-watermark detector says the new graphics were produced with AI tools. Important Facts: AI-generated content circulated quickly after the announcement of the president's apprehension. The first fake image was shared on the same day on platform X. Tools like AI-watermark detectors were used to confirm the pictures as inauthentic. Fabrications continued to circulate and be updated even after the release of real images. The origin of many fabricated images was linked to social media profiles focused on graphic design.