- Social media erupted with memes and AI content after US forces seized Nicolas Maduro in Caracas
- Maduro's grey Nike tracksuit became a viral fashion meme and sparked online merchandising trends
- AI deepfakes showed Maduro in humorous scenarios
Social media has become a parallel battleground to the diplomatic and military drama after US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a stunning raid on his Caracas home. What began as a serious geopolitical event has quickly generated a flood of memes, parodies and AI-generated content across platforms such as X, Reddit and Instagram. Within hours of the US raid, users started sharing satirical edits of Trump's own posts alongside exaggerated depictions of the Venezuelan leader.
One of the most widespread online tropes is the so-called "Maduro Fit" - a humorous reference to the grey Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit Maduro wore in a widely shared photograph of him in custody. The image has been remixed into fashion memes and even sparked trends in search and online merchandising.
Gulf News reported that the tracksuit became a viral fashion moment in its own right.
AI-generated content has also played a large role. Users have produced deepfake videos and images placing Maduro in improbable scenarios, from humorous jail cell pairings with celebrities to satirical "Make Venezuela Great Again" clips featuring an AI-altered Trump speaking Spanish.
The sheer volume of these posts has made it difficult for platforms and fact-checkers to distinguish satire from misleading content.
Political figures and influencers have joined the fray. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk reposted a popular Maduro-Diddy meme depicting the captured politician in a light-hearted context, illustrating how even high-profile accounts are drawn into meme culture.
The January 3 operation to capture Maduro, referred to as Operation Absolute Resolve, saw explosions and strikes in Venezuela's capital city, Caracas, and involved elite units of the US military. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were flown to New York, where they appeared in a federal court in Manhattan and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. He was ordered to remain in custody until his next hearing on March 17.
