Fact check: why the image claiming to show Nicolás Maduro’s capture cannot be verified
Authors: Anni Lindén & Qais Alamdar
An image circulating online claims to show the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro captured during the US operation in Caracas. Despite the Trump administration having confirmed the capture, they have not posted an official photograph. Intel Focus has examined the circulated image and identified multiple red flags that cast serious doubt on its authenticity.
Agency insignia conflicts with official accounts.
The image shows Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) markings on the escorts. However, US officials cited across multiple outlets have said the ground operation was conducted by US Special Forces, not the DEA. Multiple reports, including coverage by CBS News and relayed elsewhere, describe the seizure as carried out by the US Army’s Delta Force (1st SFOD-D), a special mission unit under Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), not a conventional division. The mixing of law-enforcement insignia with a covert military action is implausible.
No official confirmation or release.
No US military, intelligence agency, or Venezuelan authority has acknowledged or released the image. For an operation of this sensitivity, the absence of official corroboration is notable.
Striking similarity to a known extradition image.
The composition closely mirrors widely published photographs from the extradition of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, including the night-time airfield setting and escort formation. The resemblance suggests narrative borrowing rather than an authentic photograph.
Figure: image shows inconsistencies.
Aircraft details do not align with the claim.
The aircraft in the background appears consistent with a Bombardier Challenger 600-series business jet. The window spacing does not align with verified reference images, raising the likelihood of manipulation. More broadly, military capture operations do not use private executive aircraft.
Timing and secrecy concerns.
Any US Army operation involving the Delta Force unit and the capture of Maduro and his wife would be highly classified. The timing and casual circulation of this image, therefore appear questionable.
The image is likely generated by AI.
According to Tal Hagin, an OSINT analyst and fact-checker, the image is highly likely generated using Google’s AI, first published by an ‘AI Art Enthusiast’ on X.
Finally, Intel Focus analysed the image via the imagewhisperer tool, also indicating that the image is likely manipulated.
Verdict: The image is not reliable evidence of Nicolás Maduro’s capture. Inconsistent agency roles, visual borrowing, aircraft discrepancies, and the lack of official confirmation strongly indicate manipulation or fabrication.
