A curfew has been introduced in Martinique following protests over the high cost of living
Fierce protests that broke out on the French Caribbean island of Martinique have led to a curfew being imposed in several districts of its administrative centre of Fort-de-France, Le Monde reported on Wednesday, citing the local prefecture.
The restrictions, imposed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the port area and several other parts of the city, will remain in place until at least Sept. 23 while additional police measures are taken across the island.
The city’s port, which is the key delivery point to the territory, has been the focus of a mass protest movement against rising food prices since earlier this week.
The Martinique government earlier reported that at least six police officers were injured by gunfire during the violent unrest and that two unidentified suspects were arrested in connection with the incidents.
On Tuesday evening, a McDonald’s restaurant in the Dillon district was set on fire along with numerous barricades, local authorities told AFP. The Carrefour hypermarket in the same district was also set on fire. “It was invaded by about fifty people, who set up a barricade in the parking lot and tried to set it on fire.”
In recent years, Martinique and other overseas territories have experienced similar protests, many of them fuelled by anger at the rising cost of living. According to the latest report by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), in 2022, food prices in Martinique and other French overseas territories were 40% higher than in France.
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