Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured, igniting a wave of misinformation on social media. In the hours following his arrest, AI-generated images, old footage, and altered photographs began to circulate widely, raising questions about their authenticity.
Social Media Overrun by Manipulated Content
Following the announcement of Maduro’s capture by former President Donald Trump on social media, numerous images and videos appeared online, many of which were quickly identified as dubious. CBS News undertook an investigation into these circulating images, employing tools like reverse image search and AI detection technologies to discern genuine content from potentially manipulated visuals.
Among the rapidly shared images was one claiming to show Maduro post-capture. This particular image gained significant traction, being shared by notable figures, including the mayor of Coral Gables, Florida, Vince Lago, and popular conservative accounts on Instagram, which collectively boast over 6 million followers. Using Google’s SynthID tool, the CBS News Confirmed team determined that the image was likely either edited or created by AI.
Additionally, a video purportedly showing military personnel escorting Maduro was posted approximately 12 hours before CBS News confirmed that a shackled individual disembarked from the aircraft transporting Maduro. This individual was later confirmed to have arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Old Footage Adds to Confusion
Old videos also resurfaced, misleading viewers into believing they depicted reactions to Maduro’s capture. One such video, showing individuals tearing down a billboard image of Maduro, dates back to July 2024. Another clip, which claimed to show a strike in Venezuela, had been circulating since June 2025. Furthermore, an image of a man with a sack over his head, shared extensively online, sparked speculation about whether it featured Maduro. Despite users pointing out that the image likely did not depict him, it garnered over 30,000 likes and more than a thousand reposts.
A report from the Daily Mail in 2023 suggested that the controversial photo actually shows Saddam Hussein after his capture, but CBS News has yet to independently verify this claim.
In light of this misinformation surge, CBS News reached out to social media platforms X and Meta to inquire about their policies regarding AI-generated images. As of now, there has been no response. According to X‘s rules page, the platform may label posts containing synthetic and manipulated media, while Meta prohibits AI-generated content that contributes to misinformation.
The rapid spread of misleading images highlights the challenges posed by the digital landscape and the critical need for vigilance in verifying information. As the situation in Venezuela evolves, accurate reporting remains essential for public understanding.
