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AI-generated images purporting to depict Nicolás Maduro detained after his apprehension by the US have gained many millions of impressions online.

How Fake Pictures of Maduro Surfaced Within Hours

The first inauthentic AI image apparently showing him being escorted off a plane surfaced within hours. This image was absent from any verified US channels; it was instead uploaded on X by an profile describing itself as an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.

Verification involved the SynthID tool, which found the image was generated or edited with generative AI.

More synthetic visuals began to spread in the following period, appearing to show different views of Maduro under guard. Discernible logos on these pictures indicate they were posted by an Instagram account called ultravfx.

AI analysis confirms these additional pictures were also created or altered Google AI.

Real Photo Posted but Fakes Continued

Donald Trump released the first real photo of Maduro handcuffed aboard the USS Iwo Jima on that morning. However, despite the authentic image was released, synthetic images continued to spread but were altered to incorporate the gray sweatsuit seen on Maduro.

Digital forensics reveal the new fake images were originally uploaded on the video platform by a digital art profile. Again, SynthID confirms the new graphics were generated or edited AI tools.

Key Points:

• AI-generated content circulated quickly after the events of Maduro's capture.
• The first fake picture appeared within hours on social media.
• Detection software like Google’s SynthID were used to verify the pictures as synthetic.
• Fake images persisted to spread and evolve despite the release of authentic images.
• The origin of many fakes was linked to specific online accounts dedicated to graphic design.