> Argentina was probably closer to such a breakthrough a century ago than it is today.

Funny that these words come from the Financial Times of London. A century ago, Argentina was far from the influence of the USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, but practically submitted to the large capitals from the British Islands, who owned the funds, the cattle, the wheat, the lands, the railroads, the meat industry and the ports and the ships which transported the products. And some years earlier, the British influence pressed for the separation of the Oriental Coast (now Uruguay) and the War of the Three Allies against the nationalist and progresist Paraguay, which population was reduced from 1.4 million to 0.8 million because they dared to develop an independent economy.

This doesn't mean that the railroads, ports, etc. were bad for Argentina's progress. It only means that sometimes people don't speak with their tongues but with the organs that hurt most, for example, the pocket, or the imperial pride. :)

Back to business - tomorrow I have to go banking with my hammer, this time the HSBC.

Un abrazo - Andrés

Note: British friends: you know that my ironies go against the capitals and not against the people.