Protests in Martinique have escalated, driven by growing dissatisfaction with the high cost of living in the French territory.
However, Saint Lucia’s Consulate has indicated that Saint Lucians are safe.
Regarding the status of Saint Lucians living in the French territory, Shazi Chalon, Cultural Attaché at the consulate general office in Martinique, told St. Lucia Times on Thursday, “As far as I know, no Saint Lucians have been hurt. I believe those who have been injured are directly involved in the protests, and there are no reports of anyone not participating in the protests being in danger.”
Chalon mentioned that the consulate office has been closed since Tuesday, October 8, due to blocked roads leading to Fort de France. Nevertheless, the consulate’s phone lines remain operational.
Late Wednesday night, an individual was reportedly killed during a looting incident as chaos erupted on the island, according to a source who spoke to the St. Lucia Times.
“He was attempting to loot a store for liquor when he got into a confrontation with another person also stealing liquor, and then he was shot,” the source, a resident of Martinique, claimed. “The police arrived, found him bleeding, and tried to revive him, but he later died in the hospital.”
Reports indicate that businesses, a police station, road barricades, a warehouse, and vehicles at a port have all been set ablaze during the protests. Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators clashing with police.
Residents assert that while the protests reached a violent peak on Wednesday, tensions have been building for some time.
“After COVID, prices have been steadily rising. It has reached a point in Martinique where people are forced to make choices about what they can afford to eat. Before, we didn’t have to make those kinds of daily living choices,” the source told the St. Lucia Times.
Initially, pushback against the rising cost of living was subdued, with protestors blocking off some roads and access to commercial centers but there were no reports of violence.
In response, negotiations to determine how costs of essential items could be lowered commenced among the business sector, local government, representatives of the French government, and members of the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC)—the group that reportedly initiated the protests.
However, while waiting for a resolution from these negotiations, tensions escalated.
France deployed special anti-riot police, the Republican Security Companies (CRS), on September 22 to quell the unrest. Yet, residents say the situation has only worsened. “They are fully armed. It’s repressive and has not been well received by the public,” shared a resident.
The protests have reached a crisis level, with schools, banks, post offices, town halls, and businesses shutting down on Tuesday and remaining closed since. The government has also implemented a curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM.
As of the time of publication, no resolutions have emerged from the negotiations aimed at lowering costs.
