Authorities in the French Caribbean territory of Martinique have imposed a nighttime curfew in parts of Fort-de-France – a port city that serves as the main delivery point for goods to the island – as protests continue against the rising cost of living.
The curfew, running from 9pm to 5am, was introduced by the prefect of Martinique, Jean-Christophe Bouvier, and affects the port area of Fort-de-France.
It has become the centre of a protest movement that have been escalating since early September, sparked by food prices that were 50 percent higher in Martinique than on mainland France in 2022, as reported by the French Insee statistics institute.
The unrest has seen demonstrators setting up roadblocks and staging protests to vent their frustration at the high cost of living.
Some protests have turned violent, with looters targeting supermarkets and restaurants.
So far, 11 police officers have been injured by firearms, and three protesters have been wounded, one of them shot.
The curfew will “facilitate the work of security forces faced with organised gangs that loot, damage and vandalise urban infrastructure”, Bouvier said.
He also confirmed that police reinforcements would be arriving in the coming days to help restore order.
The curfew is expected to last until at least 23 September.
(with AFP)
