Overview
- Petersen and Eton Park moved to have Argentina held in contempt, alleging failures to produce emails and WhatsApp messages required by a July 29, 2025 discovery order that included communications from Sergio Massa and Luis Caputo.
- The plaintiffs seek civil sanctions, an adverse presumption over unproduced evidence, a coercive fine reportedly set at US$1 million per day, and alter-ego findings for entities such as the central bank, Banco Nación, YPF, and Aerolíneas Argentinas.
- Argentina’s legal team rejects the accusation, says the country is complying with court directives, and argues sanctions would be premature, with a formal response due on February 19.
- Court filings set a reply from the plaintiffs for March 5 and evidentiary hearings in late March, including March 23–24, where Judge Preska will consider contempt and any sanctions.
- The enforcement fight follows Preska’s 2023 first-instance judgment of about US$16.1 billion plus interest over the 2012 expropriation of YPF, which Argentina continues to appeal.