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.
Indeed, our cousins across the pond have been complaining about the high cost of living in Martinique. They seem to be fed up with the cost of living with demonstrators having placards saying, ‘Assez de nous plumer. Baisser Les prix”… enough of you plucking us, lower the prices. I see similar trends of high prices in Saint Lucia. Here is the question. If the EC dollar is pegged to the US dollar and the EC dollar has remained stable in relation to it’s exchange rate with the US dollar, why are the price of foods and services so expensive given an adjustment for inflation. Inflation should also affect the EC to US dollar exchange rate but that doesn’t seem to be the case. So are the goods and services providers in Saint Lucia artificially inflating their prices to make maximum profit form the Saint Lucian populace? Price control should look into this cause high prices of food forces people to resort to cheaper food sources like fast foods to eat. That is one reason the diabetic and hypertensive rates are increasing in Saint Lucia and by extension the Caribbean. There is a direct correlation. Tell me, how can a packet of lentils cost almost $7.00? Things can quickly get out of hand when the people feel that they are being robbed.
If we did this to Massy perhaps the monthly 5cents being added to everything not conssidered “basic” will stop!
Oh please are you kidding me we are directly involved I am willing to be money on it. As if to say St Lucian’s walking around with halos above their heads on Martinique….,..oh sure we are wink wink.