Argentinean President Cristina de Kirchner hopes his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chávez Frías to continue to give her financial assistance to face some debt maturities this year.

According to Argentinean daily newspaper Clarín, the Argentinean government is outlining a strategy to repay debt, and is considering the possibility to use funds from Argentinean state agencies and Chávez's petrodollars.

Argentina is facing debt maturities at USD 14.54 billion, out of which it is repaying USD 8.5 billion with tax surplus and Treasury funds, and the remaining USD 6 billion will be repaid with other funds.

Sources with the Argentinean Ministry of Economy told Clarín that both funds from state agencies and the Venezuelan financial aid would be enough to afford half the maturities.

In Venezuela, official sources said they are assessing the purchase of new Argentinean debt bonds, even though Finance Minister Rafael Isea has not confirmed the plans. The operation is likely to exceed USD 1 billion. So far, Chávez's government has purchased over USD 5 billion in Argentinean debt titles.