Authorities in Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean have extended the night curfew to Sunday as police try to restore calm. A few nights of protest And the violent conflict triggered by the Covid-19 regulations, but its roots lie in people’s long-term concerns about high living costs, low wages, youth unemployment, and distrust of the Paris government.
In the past few days, gunshots have been directed at the police, the general strike has entered its second week, and many shops are still closed after night robberies. The curfew requires people to enter the room between 6 pm and 5 am.
French media reported on Wednesday that police shots were fired on the nearby island of Martinique for the second consecutive night, indicating that the riots are spreading in France. Caribbean Sea Overseas territories.
Roadblocks affected public transportation and schools in Martinique were closed. The union groups decided to lift their protest roadblocks, but it is expected that some civic groups will continue to demonstrate on the road.
People in Guadeloupe and Martinique are angry at the government’s demands-this also works on the mainland France – All health care workers must be vaccinated against Covid-19. Due to long-term health scandals involving exposure to toxic pesticides used in banana plantations, the government and scientific community have serious distrust, so mandatory vaccination is a particularly sensitive issue in these two island territories.
exist One of the largest in France Due to health and safety scandals, between 1973 and 1993, banana plantations in Martinique and Guadeloupe used the pesticide chodecone, which exposed a large part of the population to health risks and related cancers, and contaminated the soil. The product was banned in the United States in 1976 and France in 1990, but special regulations were made for its continued use in the Caribbean until 1993.
In Martinique, the protesters not only called for the cessation of mandatory vaccination of health workers, but also called for action to deal with high oil prices.
The unrest was a test for French President Emmanuel Macron, who took advantage of the global footprint of France from overseas territories from the Caribbean to the Pacific through the Indian Ocean.
Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Economy, stated that in the Caribbean, the Covid Health Pass has “no room for negotiation”. In cafes, restaurants, libraries, and other public buildings, it is necessary to show a pass that proves that someone has been vaccinated or recently tested negative for the new coronavirus.
Opposition politicians from left to right accuse the government of not preparing for the crisis in the Caribbean, and they say it should be avoided.
The far-right leader Marine Le Pen said: “The government always has the same method-to make the situation worse, just like it did to the government. Yellow vest Protesters, or exceed pensions, and then wait until the ensuing violent behavior makes their demands lose credibility. ”
