Image of Maduro After U.S. Military Action Sparks International Debate
CARACAS — An image purporting to show Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody after a reported American military operation in Venezuela has circulated widely on social media, but independent verification of the photograph’s authenticity remains unclear.
U.S. President Donald Trump shared what he described as a photo of Maduro aboard the U.S. Navy ship USS Iwo Jima following an early-morning military strike that Washington says resulted in Maduro’s capture and removal from Caracas. U.S. officials claim the president and his wife were taken into American custody amid the operation.
However, fact-checking sources indicate there is no confirmed evidence that the image circulating online is genuine, and analysis suggests at least some versions may have been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence. Independent verification by reputable news agencies is still pending, and Venezuela’s government has not released official confirmation of Maduro’s condition or location.
The broader situation remains highly fluid. Multiple international outlets report that U.S. military actions early Saturday involved large-scale strikes on strategic sites in Venezuela’s capital, prompting explosions and significant unrest. U.S. authorities have stated their intention to oversee Venezuela during a transition period, while world leaders and regional organizations express concern about sovereignty and legality.
At this stage, analysts caution that images shared on social platforms should be treated with skepticism until corroborated by independent, on-the-ground reporting and reliable multimedia verification.
