The case and the risk of contempt
The central lawsuit originated from the way Cristina Kirchner's government expropriated YPF in 2012. In September 2023, Preska ruled against Argentina, with a judgment that obliges it to pay USD 16 billion to the litigating funds, which had acquired legal rights from former shareholders of the oil company.
Meanwhile, alongside the process of appealing the economic ruling, Burford promoted the direct enforcement of the judgment, claiming the shares that the State holds in YPF. If Preska were to require guarantees as a condition for granting the stay, and Argentina fails to comply with that requirement before next Monday, the country could be held in contempt.











