Anti-austerity protests in Argentina escalated with fires in the streets this week.

Footage captured by Silvia Var shows a blaze burning in the middle of the road at the intersection of Rivadavia and Ayacucho streets in the Caballito neighbourhood in Buenos Aires on March 12, around 7:20 pm.

Silvia said: 'It was terrible today. I live two blocks away. I was very scared today. They were extremely violent.'

More than 1,000 riot police were reported to have used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters. At least 20 people were injured, and 200 were arrested, authorities said.

Freelance photographer Pablo Grillo was reportedly in critical condition after being hit in the head with a teargas canister. He suffered a skull fracture and loss of brain mass.

The demonstrators were decrying President Javier Milei's sweeping austerity measures, which drastically cut government spending to curb soaring inflation. The policy has caused increased unemployment and poverty, particularly among retirees affected by pension cuts.