Argentina's New Libertarian Leader Softens His Economic Radicalism

Wall Street trader Demian Reidel was euphoric on the night of Nov. 19, jumping up and down and pumping his fist in the air at Javier Milei’s campaign headquarters in a downtown Buenos Aires hotel. “We won!” he yelled. “My president!”

Less than a week later, Reidel would turn down Milei’s offer to lead the central bank and opt to fly home to Miami, dismayed at seeing the president-elect ditch key pillars of his radical economic platform.

The split wasn’t personal on Milei’s part; nor was it unique. Instead, it’s indicative of the transactional relationship that Argentina’s new leader has with those around him, marked by an inherent distrust of others and a willingness to jettison even close aides at a moment’s notice.

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