Tension rose a notch during the night from Wednesday to Thursday in Martinique: twelve gendarmes were injured, including one by gunshot, stores were burned and barricades were set on fire.
2 mins
“ Twelve gendarmes were slightly injured, including one by gunshot ” during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, a source within the French state told AFP, specifying that this assessment was provisional due to ” interventions in progress » to regain control of “ burning barricades on the island », notably in Case-Pilote (west coast) and Schoelcher, a town adjoining Fort-de-France, the capital of this French West Indian island. According to this same source, “ at least three stores were set on fire » on the island while several fires on car parks were recorded, including one at the port where new vehicles imported into Martinique are parked.
Also readMartinique: the reasons for the anger
At 2:00 a.m. local time (8:00 a.m. in Paris), loud explosions were still heard in Schoelcher, a town adjoining Fort-de-France, according to an AFP journalist. Numerous videos of these riots are circulating on social networks, notably showing a burning barricade on the Fort-de-France ring road and projectile jets aimed at vehicles trying to bypass it.
Prices 40% more expensive than in mainland France
Since September, Martinique is marked by a movement against the high cost of living, the reason for recurring protests in the French West Indies, which degenerated with urban violence. The movement was launched by the Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources, which demands alignment with the mainland of the prices of food products, 40% more expensive in Martinique.
The situation had calmed down in recent weeks, but incidents broke out on Monday between the police and activists who were carrying out a blocking action in Lamentin, near Fort-de-France. Since then, urban violence has been recorded again every night.
Also readMartinique in the fight against mass distribution
On Wednesday four gendarmes had been “ slightly injured » in Le Carbet (north) while they successfully carried out a roadblock-lifting operation, according to the authorities. A municipal building, serving as an outpost for the brand new mobile territorial brigade based in the town, was also completely burned down.
Four round tables have been organized by the authorities since the start of the crisis, without a satisfactory outcome for the protesters. A fifth is planned for Thursday in order to “present the action plan” of the authorities, announced the prefecture.