🔗 Share this article Debunking Venezuela Victory Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro. Computer-created images claiming to depict Venezuela's president in custody following his apprehension by the American authorities have gained many millions of views online. How AI Images of the President Emerged Within Hours Initial fake AI image apparently showing him led off a plane circulated shortly after. The picture was not shared any authoritative American sources; rather, it was published on X by an profile purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”. Our analysis used Google’s SynthID, which found the image was generated or edited with Google AI. Further AI-generated visuals were disseminated in the ensuing period, seemingly depicting additional perspectives of the leader under guard. Visible identifying marks on the graphics show they were posted by an Instagram profile named ultravfx. AI analysis indicates the further pictures were likewise generated or edited Google AI. Real Photo Released but Fakes Continued The former US president posted the genuine photograph of Maduro handcuffed aboard the US Navy ship on Saturday morning. However, despite this real photo was made public, synthetic pictures persisted online but were updated to include the grey athletic wear worn by Maduro. Digital forensics reveal these altered fabrications were originally uploaded on TikTok by a graphic design account. Once again, the AI-watermark detector confirms these subsequent pictures were produced with AI tools. Main Takeaways: Synthetic media spread rapidly after the announcement of the president's apprehension. The first fake image was shared very quickly on platform X. Detection software like Google’s SynthID helped to verify the images as AI-generated. Fake images persisted to circulate and be updated even after the publication of authentic photographs. The source of several fabricated images was traced to specific online profiles focused on graphic design.