In profile - Guillermo Nielsen
IN THE PLAZA de Mayo, the grand square that dominates central Buenos Aires, the barricades are being erected. Police are moving into place. Taxis are unable to get through to the presidential pink palace – the most famous building on the plaza. The stage is set for yet another face-off between disillusioned Argentines and the authorities.
Except that there is one element missing – the raucous demonstrators. There are just 20 to 30 people, some holding up placards, others handing out leaflets, demanding better conditions. But their protest is peaceful. No-one is hurling anything at the police; there is no chanting or remonstrating.
It was very different three years ago, following the government's debt default and the devaluation of the peso. Then riots were commonplace as Argentines, distraught at losing their savings and their jobs, took their anger to the streets. As a reminder of those times, economy minister Roberto Lavagna keeps in his office a small picture of a familiar scene – a fire raging, a crowd enraged.
Argentina has recovered far more quickly than anyone could have imagined possible in 2002.