I cannot see Vz giving up it's access to so much US dollars through Citgo ownership that they'd allow Citgo to be auctioned off.  Not for $1.4B which I think they can deliver one way or another. Russia, China, Iran.   I do not see an auction. Now that they are painted into a corner they will likely come up with the cash. How ironic if they pay up in gold. A lot of Vz gold has been tranferred to Russia and Iran and Turkey for serivices rendered recently.

If auction is avoided the process should move forward quickly.