Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum displayed a fabricated image of Ryan Wedding to journalists on Monday, claiming it as proof that the alleged drug lord had turned himself in willingly. The image, which CBC News has confirmed was created using artificial intelligence, appeared on an Instagram account linked to Wedding that was debunked recently.
During a press conference in Mexico City, Sheinbaum attempted to minimize suggestions of U.S. involvement on Mexican soil, asserting that Wedding, a fugitive from Ontario, surrendered at the U.S. embassy of his own accord.
Sheinbaum referenced an Instagram post purportedly from Wedding’s “representative,” stating, “After seeking assurances for a fair process, I have decided to voluntarily surrender to the authorities.”
The image in question was shared on the Instagram account bossryanw, previously flagged by CBC News for featuring AI-generated pictures associated with Wedding. Following scrutiny, all images were removed from the account except for the AI-generated one depicting Wedding at the U.S. Embassy.
Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder and one of the FBI’s top 10 most-wanted fugitives, stands accused of leading a criminal network responsible for trafficking large amounts of cocaine from Mexico into the U.S. and Canada. He was apprehended last week and transported to California to face federal charges, including murder.
In a statement released online by Mexican Attorney-General Ernestina Godoy Ramos, Wedding was described as a significant figure within the Sinaloa Cartel, facilitating the widespread distribution of drugs in North America.
At a court appearance in Santa Ana, Calif., on Monday, Wedding pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense attorney, Anthony Colombo, disputed claims made by Mexican officials, stating that Wedding’s surrender was not voluntary.
An AI-generated image of a man resembling Wedding, dressed in attire similar to his appearance upon arrival in Los Angeles, was posted on Friday. However, CBC News noted discrepancies in the image, such as the ongoing renovations at the U.S. embassy shown in the background and the distorted letters on the man’s cap, typical of AI-generated content.
The conflicting narratives surrounding Wedding’s arrest underscore the differing viewpoints of U.S. and Mexican authorities on the events leading to his capture. While U.S. sources claim Mexican involvement in the arrest, Mexican officials deny any joint operations, insisting that their actions are based on intelligence provided by U.S. authorities.
