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Computer-created images purporting to depict Venezuela's president detained following his capture by the American authorities have gained tens of millions of impressions across the internet.

The Way Fake Pictures of Maduro Appeared Soon After

The first fabricated synthetic picture seemingly displaying him taken off a aircraft surfaced within hours. The graphic was absent from any authoritative government accounts; rather, it was published on the platform X by an profile describing itself as an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.

Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, determining the picture was created or altered with generative AI.

Additional AI-generated images began to spread in the following period, purporting to present different views of Maduro under guard. Discernible logos on the graphics reveal they were posted by an Instagram profile called ultravfx.

AI analysis confirms all of these pictures were similarly generated or edited AI technology.

Real Photo Posted but Fabrications Continued

The former US president shared the initial authentic image of Maduro restrained aboard the US Navy ship on that morning. However, despite the authentic image was released, synthetic pictures kept circulating but were altered to show the grey tracksuit seen on Maduro.

Reverse image searches indicate these altered fabrications were first posted on the video platform by a graphic design account. Similarly, analysis found these subsequent pictures were generated or edited generative artificial intelligence.

Important Facts:

• Deepfakes gained traction following the announcement of the president's apprehension.
• The initial fabricated image was shared very quickly on social media.
• Tools like AI-watermark detectors helped to identify the pictures as synthetic.
• Fake images persisted to spread and evolve even after the publication of real images.
• The origin of several fabricated images was linked to specific online accounts focused on graphic design.