The fate of Argentina’s state-run oil company was thrown into doubt Monday as a U.S. judge ordered the cash-strapped country to give up its 51% controlling stake in YPF in partial compensation for seizing the shares of former investors during its 2012 nationalization of the energy group.

A US judge has ordered Argentina to relinquish its controlling stake in state-run energy company YPF as partial payment for a $16bn judgment over the country’s 2012 nationalisation of the group.

Argentina’s financial crisis and legal troubles resulting from the contentious 2012 nationalization have worsened as a U.S. judge ordered Argentina to relinquish its 51% controlling stake in state-run oil company YPF on Monday.