Rumor – A video shows Nicolás Maduro announcing he will resign from the presidency of Venezuela and hand over power to Edmundo González following an international agreement with exile guarantees.
Analysis
A video is circulating widely on social media claiming that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has decided to resign and hand over power to Edmundo González Urrutia, the main opposition figure in the 2024 elections. The content further states that the resignation came after an international agreement that would include exile guarantees for Maduro in Russia and judicial immunity.
The video is presented as an official broadcast from the Miraflores Palace and shows segments in which Maduro supposedly acknowledges his resignation and recognizes González as the new leader of the country. Some accounts suggest the transition will take place on May 29 and emphasize that the president’s speech is “confirmed.” Below are some of the versions being shared:
Version 1: NICOLÁS MADURO HAS JUST RESIGNED FROM THE PRESIDENCY OF VENEZUELA. The main goal of our videos is to inform with an educational character. Our team investigates the most relevant and recent news about everything happening in Venezuela. We analyze each piece of news from beginning to end in every video, thank you. Version 2: A video goes viral showing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro allegedly resigning from power and recognizing Edmundo González as the new president. Version 3: !!! MADURO HANDS OVER POWER!!!… He will hand over the presidency to Edmundo González on May 29. Version 4: Breaking news: Nicolás Maduro resigns from the presidency and hands over power to Edmundo González with conditions. In an unexpected twist that shook the Venezuelan political scene, Nicolás Maduro officially announced his resignation from the presidency of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The news was confirmed this afternoon in a national broadcast from the Miraflores Palace. Maduro will immediately transfer power to the elected leader, Edmundo González Urrutia, following a recently reached agreement with international mediation.
However, the resignation comes with conditions. Maduro demanded absolute guarantees that he would not be investigated or prosecuted for events during his term, as well as the freedom to go into exile in Russia, a country that agreed to receive him. “I made this decision for the peace of the country, to avoid bloodshed and to allow an orderly transition, but I also demand guarantees for my safety and that of my family,” declared a visibly tense Maduro.
Fact-check
The content drew attention among those who follow Venezuela’s political scene, especially since it was presented as an “official broadcast” with dramatic statements. However, it’s nothing more than another fake created by AI. To check, let’s answer these three questions: 1) Did Nicolás Maduro resign from the presidency of Venezuela? 2) How was the video of Nicolás Maduro announcing his resignation created? 3) Is there any chance Edmundo González will take office?
Did Nicolás Maduro resign from the presidency of Venezuela?
No. Nicolás Maduro remains the current president of Venezuela. There is no official announcement, public statement, or coverage by credible media indicating his resignation. If the story were true, it would have made international headlines and drawn reactions from Venezuelan and foreign authorities.
How was the video of Nicolás Maduro announcing his resignation created?
The viral video is fake and digitally manipulated. It is a deepfake: a montage using artificial intelligence to simulate speeches with a realistic appearance. You can detect visual distortions, faulty audio syncing, and inconsistent graphic elements compared to official broadcasts. The date used in the video, May 29, is a common trick to increase credibility but does not correspond to any real event.
Is there any chance Edmundo González will take office?
There is no chance Edmundo González will assume the presidency at this moment. Nicolás Maduro is currently president of Venezuela, and despite international pressure, there is no indication he intends to cede power to the opposition. Edmundo González is not even in Venezuela. He is currently in exile in Spain.
Conclusion
The video showing Nicolás Maduro announcing his resignation and handing over power to Edmundo González is false. It is a deepfake created with artificial intelligence, and there is no official confirmation that the president has stepped down. González was a candidate, but he is not even in Venezuela at the moment.
Fake news ❌
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