Protests and unrest show no signs of slowing down in the French Caribbean territory of Martinique, with tensions persisting despite the imposition of a curfew aimed at restoring order.
On Thursday, demonstrators targeted the territory’s main airport in a new protest criticizing the high cost of living.
In response to the recent surge in violence, the government has declared a new curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM and banned demonstrations on public roads.
Local media described incidents of looting.
Schools have been temporarily shut down, and the teaching hospital announced it has activated emergency plan Blanc. This allows for surgeries to be postponed and enables the temporary mobilization of extra personnel.
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In recent years, Martinique has experienced similar protests, largely driven by demonstrators’ frustration with perceived economic, social, and racial inequalities.
In 2020, 27% of the residents in Martinique were living below the poverty line, a figure that is 12 percentage points higher than that of mainland France.
The most recent protest in a series started in early September, leading national authorities to deploy special anti-riot police forces to the island.
Negotiations are in progress, bringing together national and local authorities, the RPPRAC—the group leading the protests—and CMA-CGM, the primary carrier.
