Colombian President Shares AI-Generated Deepfake Video Targeting Ecuadorian Leader
Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared an AI-generated deepfake video on X that falsely depicted Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa receiving campaign financing from criminal organizations, presented as a Telemundo news report. Telemundo identified the video as a deepfake with 99.7% confidence and Petro deleted it after his office suggested he do so.
What happened
On April 21, 2026, Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared a video on X that appeared to be a Telemundo news report accusing Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa of receiving campaign financing from criminal organizations. The video featured presenters Damià Bonmatà and Claudia de la Fuente supposedly reporting that criminal leader William Joffre AlcÃvar Bautista had stated his organization financed Noboa's campaign.
Telemundo identified the content as a deepfake, probably created or altered with artificial intelligence tools. The video was edited from a legitimate Telemundo broadcast from March 23 and contained clear signs of manipulation, including an incorrect on-screen text reading 'Noticias Telefarinoo' instead of 'Noticias Telemundo' and Claudia de la Fuente's voice with a Spanish accent despite her being Mexican. Testing on the DeepFake-O-Meter platform indicated a 99.7% probability the video was generated with AI.
After the Presidencia's suggestion, Petro deleted the video and clarified that his X account is personal, not an official government channel.
Reported impact
The incident was characterized as part of a 'narrative war' where emotional mobilization prevails over factual accuracy. Political consultant Rubén Erazo stated that the false accusations, regardless of later refutation, successfully install perceptions in Petro's electoral base that damage Noboa's reputation.
Governance controls
The Presidencia stated that Petro's X account is personal and not an official government channel, though this distinction was noted by experts as unlikely to affect the president's decision-making regarding content sharing.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.