Amid rising tensions in the Caribbean, Venezuela's government has accused the United States of using artificial intelligence to fabricate a video depicting a military assault on a boat allegedly laden with drugs. The footage was shared by President Donald Trump as evidence of an operation he claims neutralized eleven members of the Tren de Aragua. Caracas, however, denies any connection to the incident, asserting that it is a technological manipulation aimed at justifying a covert aggression.
The Unprecedented Accusation: Attack, Video, and Denial
On Tuesday, President Trump released a video on his Truth Social platform, credited to the U.S. Southern Command. The footage depicts a speedboat in open waters being monitored before it is obliterated by a missile strike. According to Trump, this was a precise operation targeting a vessel belonging to the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, transporting drugs to the U.S. The operation reportedly resulted in the elimination of eleven alleged narco-terrorists in Caribbean waters.
Prior to this, the Pentagon had confirmed the assault to an international news agency, stating it was carried out in the "southern Caribbean against a drug-laden boat that had departed from Venezuela, operated by narco-terrorists." Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this narrative on his official social media accounts. However, Caracas's response was swift and entirely oppositional.
Freddy Ñáñez Responds to Marco Rubio and Cites Gemini
While President Nicolás Maduro refrained from directly addressing the attack in his initial public statements, the official response from the regime was delivered by Communication Minister Freddy Ñáñez. He leveled serious accusations via his Telegram channel, stating, "It seems Marco Rubio continues to deceive his president: after leading him into a dead end, he now presents him with an 'AI-verified' video as 'proof.'"
Ñáñez supported his claim with a screenshot of a supposed response from Gemini, Google's AI platform. In his post, he included the question posed to the AI: "What does Gemini say about this video?" The AI's reported response was that the video likely was created using artificial intelligence, citing simplified animation and unrealistic details as evidence.
Ñáñez directly accused Rubio of orchestrating the escalation, stating, "Marco Rubio, stop inciting war and trying to stain President Donald Trump's hands with blood. Venezuela is not a threat."
The Chavismo Narrative: War, Oil, and International Conspiracy
In recent days, Nicolás Maduro has escalated his rhetoric against the United States, focusing his criticism on an alleged broader conspiracy involving a desire for Venezuela's natural resources. He claims unfounded accusations of drug trafficking and military aggression are disguises for a larger agenda.
Venezuela's leader declared, "The oil doesn't belong to Maduro, nor to the Americans; it belongs to you, the people of Venezuela." He accused the U.S. of pursuing Venezuela's natural wealth and aiming to "eradicate the liberating project of Simón Bolívar." Maduro described the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, which includes warships and a nuclear submarine, as "the greatest threat the region has faced in a century," drawing parallels to the 1962 missile crisis.
He warned that Venezuela is prepared to defend itself: "If Venezuela were attacked, we would immediately enter a period of armed struggle and constitutionally declare the Republic in arms."
Backdrop: Terror Designations and Covert Operations
The verbal and military escalation occurs amid growing tensions between Washington and Caracas. Recently, the Trump administration increased pressure on the Venezuelan regime by designating the Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization. This criminal group, originating in Venezuela, has a presence in various Latin American countries.
The administration also listed the Cartel of the Suns, allegedly led by top Venezuelan officials including Maduro, as a criminal organization. Additionally, the U.S. has increased the bounty for Maduro's capture and launched a large-scale military operation in the Caribbean to intercept drug-related vessels.
In response, over 15,000 troops were deployed by Venezuela to the Colombian border, claiming an operation against mafias. The Venezuelan government presented drug seizure figures as evidence of their "commitment against drug trafficking."
Chavismo's central argument is that the U.S. is "creating a narrative" to justify regime change. The accusation of AI usage to simulate the attack introduces a new dimension to the ongoing conflict, raising questions about the authenticity of digital evidence in hybrid warfare.
Key Questions About the Venezuela-U.S. Tensions
What is the Tren de Aragua?
The Tren de Aragua is a criminal organization originating from Venezuela, involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, and has expanded its operations across several Latin American countries.
Why does Venezuela allege the video was fabricated?
Venezuela claims the video was fabricated with artificial intelligence to justify U.S. aggression, suggesting that the footage shows signs of digital manipulation, such as simplified animations and unrealistic details.