Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA has filed an appeal in a US court against an order to sell its American subsidiary, Citgo. Company representatives said on Tuesday that they have requested the cancellation of the court-directed sale, which was initiated to repay outstanding debts. Multiple creditors have long sought to recover more than 20 billion dollars owed by Venezuela, with Citgo being a key target for repayment claims.

According to AFP, a court in Delaware approved the sale of Citgo in late November last year as part of efforts to resolve the prolonged legal dispute. Citgo’s board has also petitioned to halt the sale, arguing that the US foreclosure process involves a serious conflict of interest that could harm the company’s economic value. The board estimates Citgo’s current worth at around 10 billion dollars.

The appeal marks the latest development in a complex legal battle over Venezuela’s unpaid debts and the future of one of its most valuable foreign assets.