Curfews imposed in French Caribbean amid living cost protests
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Officials in Guadeloupe kept a night curfew for the second day on Saturday to "guarantee safety and tranquility" amid protests.
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Point-à-Pitre street in Guadeloupe, April 10, 2024. (AFP)
French authorities have imposed nightly curfews on the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique as widespread protests over the rising cost of living continue to escalate.
In Guadeloupe, officials kept a night curfew for the second day on Saturday to "guarantee safety and tranquility" after the entire island was plunged into darkness due to a power cut on Friday.
Authorities have accused striking energy workers of sabotaging the Jarry power station, leaving 380,000 residents without electricity until partial restoration began Saturday.
Tensions intensified on Thursday night, with protesters setting up roadblocks and igniting debris across the island.
Nos territoires ultramarins s'enfoncent dans une crise dont on ne voit pas la sortie.
— Patrick Karam (@karampatrick) October 26, 2024
Sur fond de tension sociale et du black-out résultant du sabotage irresponsable d'une poignée de grévistes qui a privé d'électricité toute la Guadeloupe, attaque au tractopelle de bijouteries… pic.twitter.com/uyxZ6vwRf7
The regional head of government, Guy Losbar, condemned the disruptions, expressing outrage over the strikes’ impact on essential services.
The EDF power company reported that two-thirds of homes have since regained power, though full restoration remains uncertain as protests persist.
Meanwhile, in Martinique, the curfew has remained in place for 16 days, with nightly protests leading to scenes of destruction and vandalism.
Local authorities reported that 50 masked demonstrators set up burning roadblocks in two districts on Friday night.
Authorities described previous incidents of looting, stolen vehicles, and gunfire, underscoring the intensity of the unrest.
Read more: Violent protests erupt in Martinique amid rising living costs
