The Caribbean island of Martinique has been rocked by protests over the high cost of living, leading to a wave of unrest and violence in the French territory. Passengers were left stranded as the international airport in the capital, Fort-de-France, was forced to close due to protesters storming the runway.
The protests, which began in September, are demanding the alignment of local food prices with those of mainland France, where prices are 40% lower. The unrest has resulted in one protester being shot dead and 26 police officers being injured. Curfews have been imposed on the island, and the French government has sent in riot police to control the situation.
Recent clashes have seen burning barricades, looted businesses, and vehicles set alight in various parts of the island. The local government denies that police opened fire on protesters, but an investigation has been launched into the death of a man who died from bullet wounds.
French Overseas Minister François-Noël Buffet has condemned the violence and called for “responsibility and calm” in the midst of the ongoing turmoil. Residents of France’s overseas territories have long complained about the high cost of living, and the protests in Martinique have been led by the Assembly for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources.
Fort-de-France Mayor Didier Laguerre acknowledged the struggles of the people in Martinique, a territory of 350,000 people, stating, “I understand the suffering and anger.” The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore order and address the grievances of the protesters.
