"Based on the published video, it's highly likely that it was created using artificial intelligence (AI)", Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy Nanez wrote on social media on 2/9, referring to reports of the US blowing up a "drug boat" in regional waters.
The statement came hours after former US President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio said that US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) had attacked and destroyed a vessel belonging to the Tren de Aragua drug gang, killing 11 suspected gang members.
US officials described the speedboat as "loaded with drugs" and originating from Venezuela. They said it had entered international waters, heading towards the Caribbean, with the US as its final destination. Trump shared the video of the vessel's destruction on Truth Social, but the Pentagon has not released details of the operation.
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Image of the "drug boat" from Venezuela before it was destroyed by the US military on 2/9. Screenshot from TruthSocial/realDonaldTrump |
Minister Nanez said the video of the explosion "looks more like a cartoon than reality". He accused US Senator Marco Rubio of misleading Trump, "inciting war and trying to stain Trump's hands with blood". He also asserted that Venezuela poses no threat to the US.
In his online post, Nanez included a screenshot of an exchange with the AI application Gemini, listing questionable aspects of the attack video released by Trump.
The White House has not commented on Nanez's statement.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan state television broadcast images of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores walking the streets of Caracas and interacting with residents. Maduro did not comment on the attack, but affirmed Venezuela's desire for peace and upholding national sovereignty.
"Faced with threats from imperialism, God is on our side", Maduro declared, accusing the US of "targeting Venezuela's resources", including oil and gas reserves.
Washington has repeatedly claimed that Tren de Aragua has ties to Maduro's administration, but Venezuela has consistently denied all accusations, claiming the criminal organization was dismantled during a 2023 prison raid.
The US has recently increased its military presence in the Caribbean with seven warships, a nuclear attack submarine, and over 4,500 troops. Warships like the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale are capable of deploying Tomahawk cruise missiles and helicopters. The US military has also deployed P-8 reconnaissance aircraft to patrol regional waters.
In a meeting with international media in Caracas on 1/9, Maduro criticized the increased US military presence in the Caribbean. He stated that Venezuela is facing its "greatest threat" in 100 years, with eight US warships and 1,200 missiles "targeted at Venezuela".
Thanh Danh (According to AP, BBC)
