Citgo’s future hangs in the balance

Rival Venezuelan regimes’ hopes of holding onto US firm look bleaker

Bankrupt Canadian mining firm Crystallex has received permission from a US federal court to pursue shares in US refiner Citgo, which is currently controlled by the US-recognised Juan Guaido administration that challenges President Nicolas Maduro for leadership of the troubled Latin American country. Guaido had asked for a 45-day extension for a so-called ‘hearing en banc.’ A panel of judges would have re-examined a July ruling by the US court of appeals for the third circuit that allowed Crystallex to go after Citgo assets. But the administration failed to file any petition, prompting the court to lift the stay. Crystallex will still need a licence from the US Treasury before it can start it