The US prosecution against Maduro comes at a time when both countries are fully dealing with the consequences of the spread of the corona virus. As of last week, Venezuela asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an emergency loan to deal with the corona crisis.

Maduro is not recognized

The IMF rejected Venezuela's application, citing that the IMF's member countries did not recognize Maduro as its president.

After that, a growing public opinion in Venezuela has demanded that Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaidó - who also claims the presidential post - put aside his political power struggle and jointly try to secure international aid to the country in crisis.

New sanctions are expected

With the US prosecution against Maduro, that task becomes even more difficult. In the past year, the United States has stepped up its financial sanctions against Venezuela and, following today's prosecution, further sanctions are expected to be introduced.

The government of Maduro has so far reported 106 cases of coronavirus in the country. But there are question marks around that figure. If there is a rapid increase in the number of coronary cases, it is expected to create major problems for the Venezuelan healthcare which is in very poor condition and where power outages and water shortages are common.

Cocaine as a weapon

According to US Attorney General William Barr, Maduro and other Venezuelan top politicians have deliberately used cocaine as a weapon to undermine health in the United States.

Lawlessness has spread in large parts of Venezuela during the deep economic crisis of recent years and criminal groups control large border areas where smuggling and drug trafficking are common.

However, according to research reports, drug trafficking to the United States is mainly from other countries in the region such as Colombia, Mexico and Central America.