Opposition groups demonstrated Wednesday against the policies of Argentine president Javier Milei and his new economic agreement with the United States.

"The United States has always had the idea that America (continent) belongs to them, but America is not theirs," said Claudia Martinez, a protester. "Every time we have organized a regional policy that has allowed us to stand on equal footing, not only with the United States but also, for example, with the European Union, they have done everything possible to humiliate us."

The street demonstrations come just days before Sunday's midterm elections to renew Congress, where Milei will face the challenge of securing the largest number of legislators possible to guarantee governability and the approval of key economic reforms.

The elections are being held amid growing social discontent over the stagnation of the economy and the loss of Argentines' purchasing power, and will be watched closely by the markets and the United States.

At the end of 2023, voters backed Milei, an ultra-liberal who, with his disruptive discourse, had promised to end inflation, relaunch the economy, and eradicate the vices of the traditional political class.

On Sunday, voters will elect 24 senators and 127 deputies. The governing party, La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances), currently holds six seats in the upper house and 37 in the lower house.

The midterm elections will also be a test for the ultraright administration, who has lost momentum in the last three months amid an economic slowdown, a drop in consumption, exchange rate instability, and growing fears that the country may be unable to meet its debts.

AP Video by Victor R. Caivano