Lazard bids to replace Centerview as Venezuela's financial advisor
Lazard has put forward a bid to replace Centerview Partners as Venezuela's financial restructuring advisor, Investing.com reports citing Bloomberg. The decision matters for the handling of the country's external debt stock, estimated at around $150 billion.
According to Investing.com citing Bloomberg, Lazard's offer to the Venezuelan government proposes a new architecture for the long-stalled debt restructuring. Centerview Partners has advised Caracas for several years, but the process has been frozen because of US sanctions.
Much of Venezuela's roughly $150 billion in external debt sits with state oil company PDVSA and sovereign bondholders. Lazard's pitch is reported to focus on a structure that could be activated quickly if the sanctions framework eases.
Analysts caution that the sources have not confirmed which firm has the inside track. The decision could directly affect secondary-market valuations of Venezuelan bonds and whether international creditors return to the negotiating table. This is not investment advice.
Read next
Israeli military says Hezbollah targets struck in Beirut
The Israeli military says it has carried out air strikes against what it describes as Hezbollah targets in the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, Beirut. The BBC reports the attack came in the final stages of US-Iran negotiations.
Trump says US-Iran deal to be signed on Sunday as Tehran casts doubt on timing
Quiet escalation unfolding around Taiwan's remote outposts as Beijing sends ships
'We were herded like animals': Freed from Boko Haram captivity
Despite regular strikes on Ukraine, Russia's offensive loses steam
