Tens of thousands of Argentines gathered in Buenos Aires’ central square to mark the 26th anniversary of the country’s last military coup.

Eduardo Duhalde, an old-style populist from the Peronist party, was sworn in as Argentina’s fifth president in two weeks today - and immediately lashed out at the unbridled free market policies he blames for the country’s economic chaos.

Argentina teetered on the brink of economic collapse today after anti-government protests and looting prompted the president to declare a state of siege and the entire cabinet to resign.