"Holders of eligible bonds, maturing in April and November of 2017, will have 20 days to exercise their option to participate in this excellent investment opportunity," the company added in a statement.

PDVSA, which is the financial engine for the government since oil accounts for 94% of Venezuela's export revenues, added that the 2020 bond would be backed by 50.1% of shares in its US refining unit Citgo.

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