When interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez's administration announced the oil-rich country was embarking on an overhaul of its more than $150 billion in debt, it committed to transparency, an approach that would mark a break with previous governments. But the appointment of US firm Centerview Partners as adviser this month has awarded one of the most coveted debt roles in decades without a formal competitive process, according to eight people with knowledge of the hiring, raising questions among investors and officials about fairness and transparency. Centerview, a relative newcomer to sovereign debt restructurings that has expanded over the past decade by poaching talent from Lazard and other firms, stands to gain prestige and earn tens of millions of dollars in fees. As Venezuela's adviser, Centerview will be tasked with hammering out the government's financial strategy and leading talks on its debt, which the country defaulted on under former President Nicolas Maduro in 2017. At stake are billions of dollars Venezuela owes to creditors earmarked for a writedown, whose size will be crucial in determining the sustainability of the country’s finances and its economic health.