WILLEMSTAD - Refineria di Korsou (RdK) and Curaçao Refinery Utilities (CRU) want Isla to pay its debts and have therefore placed a lien on a local bank account of the company. Isla is a subsidiary of the Venezuelan PdVSA.

The refinery's facilities switched to RdK on January 16 and an agreement was reached on the use of tanks by Isla. Since then, Isla has been deeply behind in lease payments, RdK said in a statement.

Selling products in the tanks at a much lower rate, which Isla started in August, is not in favor of local creditors, RdK said.

The lien would release funds to settle Isla's debts to local institutions and former employees, among others. The salaries of CRU employees can also be paid. CRU has been the manager of the refinery since January 15.