Following the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a video claiming to show jubilant demonstrations in Venezuela spread widely on social media. The clip, shared by several high-profile accounts, including Elon Musk on X, depicted people celebrating Maduro’s removal. However, investigations confirmed the footage was AI-generated and did not reflect real events.
The video, originally posted by the account Wall Street Apes on January 3, 2026, showed individuals surrounded by Venezuelan flags, speaking in Spanish about being “finally free.” Reverse image searches traced the clip to the TikTok account @curiousmindusa, known for producing AI-generated content. Close examination revealed warped visuals, including nonsensical flags and blurred figures, common hallmarks of AI manipulation. One frame even merged elements of the US and Venezuelan flags, highlighting the clip’s inauthenticity.
Musk, who has a history of resharing misleading content, amplified the post, which quickly circulated across Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Facebook. Other social media users, including conservative influencer David J. Harris Jr and comedian Terrence Williams, also shared the clip. Despite the falsity of the video, exiled Venezuelans held genuine celebrations abroad, while roughly 2,000 Maduro supporters demonstrated in Caracas.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transported to the United States following their capture on January 3. They pleaded not guilty to charges including drug trafficking in a New York federal court on January 5. Maduro continues to claim the presidency, a position contested internationally due to disputed elections during his tenure.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of AI-generated misinformation in times of political crises. Social media users are urged to verify content before sharing, as fabricated media can easily distort perceptions of unfolding events.