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Computer-created graphics claiming to show Venezuela's president under arrest after his apprehension by the American authorities have amassed tens of millions of impressions on social media.

How Fake Pictures of the President Surfaced Soon After

Initial inauthentic AI image apparently displaying him taken off a aircraft surfaced shortly after. The picture was not shared any authoritative government accounts; rather, it was posted on X by an account purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.

Our analysis used the SynthID tool, confirming the image was created or altered with generative AI.

Further AI-generated visuals began to spread in the subsequent period, appearing to show additional perspectives of Maduro in custody. Visible watermarks on these pictures reveal they were posted by an Instagram account called ultravfx.

SynthID says the further pictures were similarly generated or edited Google AI.

Real Photo Posted but Fabrications Continued

Donald Trump released the initial authentic image of Maduro restrained aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. However, despite the authentic image was published, AI-generated images kept circulating but were altered to incorporate the grey athletic wear worn by Maduro.

Digital forensics reveal these updated fakes were initially shared on TikTok by a graphic design account. Similarly, the AI-watermark detector confirms these further images were generated or edited generative artificial intelligence.

Key Points:

• Synthetic media gained traction following the events of the president's apprehension.
• The first fake image was shared on the same day on platform X.
• Detection software like AI-watermark detectors helped to confirm the pictures as AI-generated.
• Fabrications continued to circulate and be updated even after the publication of real images.
• The source of many fabricated images was traced to specific online accounts dedicated to graphic design.