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Computer-created pictures purporting to show Nicolás Maduro in custody after his apprehension by the US have gained countless of impressions across the internet.

How Fake Pictures of the President Emerged Within Hours

Initial fake synthetic picture seemingly showing him taken off a aircraft surfaced shortly after. This image was absent from any official US channels; it was instead uploaded on the platform X by an profile purporting to be an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.

Verification involved Google’s SynthID, determining the picture was generated or edited with Google AI.

Further synthetic images began to spread in the subsequent period, seemingly depicting additional perspectives of Maduro under guard. Visible identifying marks on these pictures show they came from an Instagram profile called ultravfx.

SynthID confirms the further images were similarly generated or edited generative models.

Authentic Image Posted but Fabrications Persisted

Donald Trump shared the first real photo of Maduro restrained aboard the US Navy ship on that morning. Yet following the authentic image was released, AI-generated images kept circulating but were modified to incorporate the grey tracksuit seen on Maduro.

Online investigation indicate these updated fakes were originally uploaded on the video platform by a graphic design account. Again, SynthID says the new graphics were produced with Google AI.

Important Facts:

• Deepfakes circulated quickly following the announcement of the president's apprehension.
• The first fake image appeared on the same day on social media.
• Detection software like Google’s SynthID helped to confirm the pictures as inauthentic.
• Fabrications persisted to circulate and be updated even after the publication of authentic photographs.
• The source of several fabricated images was linked to social media profiles dedicated to AI art.