AI-generated content surges after Maduro’s removal, blurring the line between fact and fiction

A sudden surge in artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos across social media has been reported, purporting to show Venezuelan citizens celebrating in the streets. 

The development follows major political events involving Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, whose removal was reported after a US military operation authorised by President Donald Trump.

These AI-generated clips, showing cheering crowds and emotional scenes, have attracted millions of views on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). 

Many posts claim to capture spontaneous celebrations across Venezuela following Maduro’s capture.

One of the most widely shared videos on X was posted by an account with a large following and showed people thanking the United States and Trump for removing Maduro. 

However, the clip was later flagged by X’s community note system, which warned viewers that the video was AI-generated and misleading. 

Despite that warning, the post garnered more than five million views and was reshared tens of thousands of times before being taken down.

AI-generated images showing Maduro in US custody also circulated online even before official photos were released. 

According to fact-checkers from Agence France-Presse (AFP), other misleading content included old or unrelated footage, such as videos from celebrations in Chile falsely presented as scenes from Venezuela.