<div><p>State-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) saw its debt jump 42 percent in 2009, compared to a year earlier, climbing to 21.4 billion dollars, according to official figures.</p><p>In 2008, PDVSA's debt was 15.09 billion dollars, but in the early months of 2009 the energy crisis, along with falling oil prices, saw the state cut costs and delay service payments, leading to soaring debt.</p><p>Oil represents some 90 percent of Venezuela's export earnings, most of which goes to the United States.</p><p>Venezuela, a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), produces 3.06 million barrels per day.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=67617580&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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