Hoax – A video shows a crowd in the streets of Venezuela supposedly against Nicolás Maduro, shortly after the U.S. increased the reward for his capture and he allegedly hid in a bunker.
Analysis
With rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela in 2025, videos and messages began circulating on social media as alleged proof of popular reactions against Nicolás Maduro’s government. Among them, a recording showing a large crowd in celebration drew attention, being shared as if it were a recent protest in the streets of Venezuela.
According to posts, the footage showed demonstrators flooding the streets against Maduro, who was supposedly hiding in a bunker after the U.S. raised the reward for his capture. Read some of the texts circulating with the video:
Version 1: Venezuelans take to the streets and the coward is hiding! ¡Viva la libertad, carajo!!! Hope is reignited with the possibility of capturing the tyrant Nicolás Maduro. Urgent: Venezuelans take to the streets as Maduro hides in a bunker after the U.S. increased the reward for his capture.
Fact-check
The message gained traction on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp groups, but it is being shared out of context. The video raises three key questions: 1) Does the video show a crowd against Maduro after U.S. actions in 2025? 2) What is the real origin of the footage? 3) Are there similar fake news stories reusing old videos out of context?
Does the video show a crowd in Venezuela against Maduro after U.S. actions in 2025?
No. The video was not recorded in 2025 nor does it correspond to protests in Venezuela. It is old footage being misrepresented. This type of confusion is common in moments of political tension, when outdated content is recycled to reinforce certain narratives. The outlet DW explains the real scenario of U.S.-Venezuela relations, but there is no record of massive recent protests as described in the hoax.
What is the origin of the video allegedly showing protests in Venezuela against Maduro?
The footage has no connection to political demonstrations. The video, available on Instagram, dates back to 2024 and shows a cultural celebration organized by Venezuelans living in Panama. The recording celebrates Venezuelan heritage and is not related to anti-Maduro protests. In other words, the claim that it depicts demonstrations in Venezuela is false.
Are there similar hoaxes?
Yes. The reuse of old videos or footage in misleading contexts is a frequent disinformation tactic. For instance, a recent hoax claimed that protesters had torn down a statue of Maduro in 2025, which was debunked here by Boatos.org. The strategy of attaching dramatic narratives to real, but contextually unrelated, videos is commonly used to amplify a sense of crisis.
Conclusion
The viral video supposedly proving protests against Nicolás Maduro in 2025 shows nothing of the sort. The images are from 2024 and were filmed in Panama during a cultural celebration by the Venezuelan community. There is no evidence that Maduro is hiding in a bunker, and the association of the footage with the current crisis is misleading.
Fake news ❌
Ps: This article was suggested by readers of Boatos.org. If you want to suggest a topic to Boatos.org, contact us via email boatos.org@gmail.com or WhatsApp (https://wa.me/556192755610).