In a bold move to gain control of Argentina’s energy reserves, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner pushed forward a bill to renationalise the country’s largest oil company despite fierce criticism from abroad and the risk of a major rift with Spain.

Argentina has asked stock markets in New York and London to warn investors of its claim that five oil exploration companies are working illegally off the Falkland Islands, which Argentina contends were stolen by Britain more than a century ago.

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman is meeting UN chief Ban Ki-moon to discuss his country’s concerns over Britain’s “militarisation” of the seas around the disputed Falkland Islands.

Argentina is to make a formal complaint to the United Nations Security Council after accusing Britain of “militarising” their long dispute over the Falkland Islands.