Deepfake video falsely depicting MST threatening US shared by Brazilian politicians
Brazilian right-wing politicians shared an AI-generated deepfake video falsely depicting members of the MST (Landless Workers Movement) threatening to invade the United States to free imprisoned Venezuelan leader Nicol谩s Maduro. The MST reported the video as false and created using artificial intelligence to distort the movement's political positions.
What happened
Right-wing Brazilian politicians shared a deepfake video on social media on January 3 and 4, 2026, depicting supposed MST members threatening to invade the United States to free imprisoned Venezuelan leader Nicol谩s Maduro.
Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos-MG) published a reaction video asking followers to share the content and joking about organizing a fundraiser for MST members to travel to the US. Congressman S贸stenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ) shared the video with commentary that the MST challenged President Donald Trump and 'promised war'.
Reported impact
The MST stated the video was false and produced using artificial intelligence, and that it misused the movement's image to distort its political positions and objectives.
The MST noted the gravity of such content circulating through authorities in a democratic state that should combat misinformation.
Index analysis
The deepfake video was created and disseminated with apparent intent to falsely associate the MST with threats against the United States and to mock the movement's political agenda.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.