AI-generated videos depicting fake Venezuelan “citizens” crying tears of joy and thanking Donald Trump have gone viral, accumulating over five million views. These videos, however, do not reflect the true sentiment of the Venezuelan population.
According to recent polls, a significant 86% of Venezuelans want Nicolás Maduro to remain in power. The most popular video, shared by the X account “Wall Street Apes,” features entirely synthetic clips of supposed locals expressing gratitude to Trump for “freeing” them. An AI-generated narrator solemnly states: “The people cry for their freedom, thanks to the United States for freeing us. The hero, thank you Donald Trump.”
Reality paints a different picture amid ongoing US air strikes in Venezuela, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 80 soldiers and civilians, with more casualties anticipated. Thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets nationwide to protest against these US attacks.
A NOV survey shows that only 8% of Venezuelans support the far-right opposition handpicked by Trump. Even critics of Maduro have condemned the US military incursion, highlighting widespread opposition to foreign intervention.
The fake “thank you” videos starkly contrast with genuine local outrage and polling data, revealing a disconnect between AI-generated content and reality.
High-profile figures such as Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago have contributed to the spread of misinformation by sharing manipulated videos and images about Venezuela. Shortly after rumors of Maduro’s kidnapping surfaced, AI-generated photos falsely claiming to show him in US custody circulated widely, long before any official confirmation.
Geopolitical analyst Ben Norton warned, “The U.S. empire’s war propaganda is getting much more sophisticated. You can bet the U.S. government will use AI to justify its many more imperialist wars of aggression.”
Mexican journalist José Luis Granados Ceja compared the current disinformation campaign to the 2002 media coup that briefly ousted Hugo Chávez. He stated, “It shouldn’t be a surprise that in 2025 new tech and fake AI videos are being used toward similar ends.”
This AI-driven propaganda represents a dangerous escalation in information warfare. Fake videos falsely claim Venezuelan approval for US intervention while real opinions strongly resist it. The rapid creation and wide dissemination of AI fakes make them a powerful tool to mislead Western audiences.
Politicians sharing such content either engage in deliberate deception or demonstrate alarming digital ignorance. With synthetic media flooding social feeds faster than fact-checkers can respond, this trend sets a concerning precedent.
Experts caution that Venezuela could become a blueprint for future AI-fueled fabrications designed to justify military interventions worldwide.
Originally published by UKNIP.
