On Friday, France introduced new curfew measures to address ongoing civil unrest on the Caribbean island of Martinique, which has been gripped by violent protests sparked by widespread frustration over rising living costs.
In response to the escalating situation, the local French administration for Martinique announced a ban on public gatherings until October 14. Additionally, they prohibited the sale of products that could potentially be used for arson attacks. The administration also noted that protests had severely disrupted operations at Martinique’s airport, resulting in the diversion of flights to the neighboring French territory of Guadeloupe.
Since September 2024, Martinique has seen widespread protests and violent confrontations, fueled by anger over the increasing cost of living and exacerbated by government-imposed restrictions on public demonstrations in several municipalities. These bans, enforced by the French central government, have only intensified the unrest. Another major source of contention has been the reintroduction of elite riot police to the island, which had been prohibited from operating in Martinique for over 65 years due to their involvement in the deaths of several young protesters in the past.
This is not the first time Martinique has been the scene of large-scale protests. Prior to 2024, the island had experienced multiple demonstrations addressing inequality in both racial and economic spheres. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in November 2021, there were also significant protests against the French government’s COVID restrictions, further contributing to the region’s long-standing tensions.
The current wave of unrest underscores the deep-seated frustrations among the population, which have been exacerbated by economic challenges and what many perceive as heavy-handed measures by the French government.
