Fact Check: Is image of handcuffed Nicolas Maduro in bloodied shirt real?
WASHINGTON, DC: In early January 2026, following the US military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro, an image purportedly showing the ousted Venezuelan President being held by US military personnel while in a bloodied shirt has been circulating on social media.
But is this photograph legitimate, or is there more to the story? Let’s find out the truth below.
Claim: Viral image shows Nicolas Maduro handcuffed in a bloodied shirt
The image in question showed Maduro in handcuffs, standing between US soldiers and wearing a white shirt that was soaked in blood.
In the image, he seemed to be standing under bright lights.
The post went viral quickly across social media sites, including X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and many users started believing it was a real, official picture taken right after he was captured following the escalation of geopolitical tensions in early January.
In light of the illegal regime change agenda pursued by the U.S. President, @realDonaldTrump, in Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife the time has come to confront an uncomfortable truth, this that the @UN has devolved into a ceremonial tea party,… pic.twitter.com/ETJhEI2grS
— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) January 3, 2026
Fact Check: Fake, the viral image is fabricated and generated using AI software
Despite many believing that the photograph was a genuine capture of the moment, it can be clearly seen that the specific visual representation was created using generative artificial intelligence rather than a camera.
The inconsistent texture of the bloodstains on the shirt and the distorted features of the soldiers standing in the background prove that it is a fake picture.
We also utilized Google's reverse-image search but found no credible media authentication or record of a legitimate photographer for the image.
If this photo had actually been taken in Venezuela right when Maduro was captured, it would have been all over the news.
However, as of right now, no such photos exist. The only actual images available from the time of his capture are satellite pictures of the military base where he was being held.
Therefore, while the news of his custody is real, this specific image was a digital forgery designed to sensationalize the event.
US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise raid
US forces launched a surprise military raid in Caracas early on January 3 to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The mission involved explosions across the capital as special forces targeted heavily guarded locations to ensure the couple was extracted quickly.
President Trump stated that the operation was necessary due to Maduro’s alleged involvement with international d**g cartels, including ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has been linked to several criminal activities in the US.
