Old Video Falsely Shared As Celebrations In Venezuela After President Nicolas Maduro’s Capture

Claim

A viral video purportedly shows citizens across Venezuela taking to the streets to celebrate after President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces.

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Fact

A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to an X post by Alerta Mundial, dated July 31, 2024, which featured the same footage. The post clarified that the visuals showed widespread protests in Venezuela against alleged electoral fraud by Nicolas Maduro, not celebrations following his capture.

The same video was also uploaded on Dailymotion by El Tribuno on July 30, 2024, with a caption stating that it depicted a massive march in Venezuela opposing Maduro’s claimed electoral victory.

Additionally, Metrópoles published a report on July 31, 2024, using identical footage. The report explained that on July 30, thousands of Venezuelans participated in protests criticising Nicolás Maduro’s re-election, which followed the presidential vote held on July 28, 2024. 

According to the report, many voters alleged electoral fraud and expressed support for the opposition. Maduro assumed office for his new term on July 29, 2024. On July 30, Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López described the protests as an attempted coup d’état, alleging that they served the interests of the United States.

The video was also shared on July 31, 2024, by Venezuelan politician Tomas Guanipa, who stated that he had joined citizens demanding that the National Electoral Council (CNE) release polling stations–wise election results. He emphasised that election officials, poll workers, security personnel, and witnesses were aware of the actual outcomes at individual polling stations.

Also Read: Old Video Of Venezuelan Citizens Tearing Down President Maduro’s Poster Shared As Recent

Hence, we find that an old video is being misleadingly shared to show celebrations in Venezuela after President Nicolas Maduro’s capture by the US. 

Sources
X post by Alerta Mundial, dated July 31, 2024
Dailymotion Video By El Tribuno, Dated July 30, 2024
YouTube Video By Metrópoles, Dated July 31, 2024