Key Takeaways:
- False and misleading AI-generated images flooded social media after Donald Trump announced a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela
- The fabricated content, including fake photos and videos, was shared millions of times across social media platforms
- Tools for detecting manipulated content are inconsistent and can be challenging to use, making it difficult to discern fact from fiction
- Misinformation and conspiracy theories are being spread through AI-generated fabrications and out-of-context footage
- Social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, have not responded to requests for comment on the issue
Introduction to the Misinformation Crisis
Minutes after Donald Trump announced a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela, false and misleading AI-generated images began flooding social media. As the news broke, fake photos of Nicolás Maduro being escorted off a plane by US law enforcement agents, images of jubilant Venezuelans pouring into the streets of Caracas, and videos of missiles raining down on the city were shared widely. These fabricated images intermixed with real videos and photos of US aircraft flying over the Venezuelan capital and explosions lighting up the dark sky, making it challenging to discern fact from fiction. As Vince Lago, the mayor of Coral Gables, Florida, posted a fake photo of Maduro being escorted by the DEA agents to Instagram, saying that the Venezuelan president "is the leader of a narco-terrorist organization threatening our country."
The Challenge of Detecting Manipulated Content
Tools for detecting manipulated content, such as reverse image search and AI-detection sites, can help assess whether online images are accurate, but they are inconsistent. According to Sofia Rubinson, a senior editor who studies misinformation and conspiracy theories for NewsGuard, "Many of the AI-generated and out-of-context visuals that are currently flooding social media do not drastically distort the facts on the ground." However, the use of AI-generated fabrications and dramatic, out-of-context footage is being used to fill gaps in real-time reporting, making it harder for fact-checkers to expose. As Rubinson noted, "Still, the use of AI-generated fabrications and dramatic, out-of-context footage is being used to fill gaps in real-time reporting and represents another tactic in the misinformation wars – and one that is harder for fact checkers to expose because the visuals often approximate reality."
The Spread of Misinformation
The fabricated content has been shared millions of times across social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. NewsGuard released a report on Monday afternoon that identified five fabricated and out-of-context photos as well as two videos of the military operation in Venezuela. One AI-generated photo shows a soldier posing next to Maduro, who has a black hood over his head. An out-of-context video shows a US special forces helicopter descending on a supposed Venezuelan military site – the actual footage was taken in June at the Fort Bragg army base in North Carolina. The seven misleading photos and videos identified by NewsGuard have now garnered more than 14m views on X alone.
The Role of Influencers in Spreading Misinformation
Far-right influencers and conspiracy theorists have also played a significant role in spreading misinformation about the strike. Laura Loomer, a far-right influencer and Trump confidant, posted footage of a poster of the Venezuelan president on X saying that "the people of Venezuela are ripping down posters of Maduro." However, according to Wired, the footage is from 2024. Loomer has since removed the post. Another right-wing influencer and conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones, posted an aerial video on X of thousands of people cheering in Caracas, claiming that "Millions of Venezuelans flooded the streets of Caracas and other major cities in celebration of the ouster of Communist dictator Nicholas Maduro." The video, which is still up, has reached more than 2.2m views, despite comments from Community Notes, X’s crowdsource moderation tool, saying that the video is "at least 18 months old."
The Response of Social Media Platforms
Meta, X, and TikTok did not respond to requests for comment on the issue. The lack of response from social media platforms is concerning, given the widespread dissemination of false and misleading information on their platforms. As the use of AI-generated fabrications and out-of-context footage becomes more prevalent, it is essential for social media platforms to take steps to address the spread of misinformation and provide users with tools to discern fact from fiction. As Grok, the platform’s AI chatbot, noted, "Current sources show no such celebrations in Caracas today, but pro-Maduro gatherings instead." The need for accurate and reliable information is more critical than ever, and social media platforms must take responsibility for ensuring that their users have access to trustworthy information.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/05/maduro-venezuela-ai-images