In a context of mobilization against the high cost of living in Martinique, six police officers were injured Monday evening in Fort-de-France. During an intervention for “public order disturbances” Monday around 11 p.m. (5 a.m. Tuesday in Paris), two law enforcement officers were hit by lead shots in the “legs but their vital prognosis is not engaged,” a police Source said Tuesday.
In a statement, the prefecture mentioned four other police officers injured by firearms. Two people were arrested.
A young protester was reportedly injured and taken to the hospital emergency room, according to La1ère.fr.
Rioters also set up roadblocks on an avenue that runs through the working-class Sainte-Thérèse district of Fort-de-France, which has been the focus of tensions for several days between groups of individuals and law enforcement. A vehicle was set alight and pushed onto the public highway, according to images seen on social media. The fire required the intervention of firefighters. According to a witness, a group of rioters entered the port and robbed a container.
Pallets and tires on fire on a major road
A roadblock was set up on the main road between the south and north of this French Caribbean island of about 360,000 inhabitants. Pallets and tires were positioned on the road for much of the night on a roundabout, before the police restored traffic.
In the morning, security forces continued to lift the last roadblocks in order to restore traffic, according to the prefecture. But the situation remained “lively”, according to ZayActu, which considered “traffic impossible” on this section of the road.
Violence had already broken out in the Sainte-Thérèse district on the night of September 2 to 3, during which police officers were targeted with live ammunition. And on the night of Friday to Saturday, two people opened fire on the facade of the Fort-de-France police station, without causing any injuries. Shops in the Dillon district were also vandalized last night, according to the prefecture.
Furthermore, the Grand Port Maritime de Martinique, through which 98% of goods entering or leaving this overseas territory pass, has been the target of a protest movement against the high cost of food since September 1.
Food 40% more expensive than in mainland France
According to a 2022 INSEE study, food prices were 40% higher in Martinique than in mainland France. Hypermarkets were blocked last weekend at the call of the Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC).
Since July 1, this collective has sent “an injunction” to the players in the Martinique mass distribution sector, ordering them to align their prices with those practiced in mainland stores. An ultimatum had been set for September 1. Furthermore, this Rally has called for the island to be blocked until transparency is made on the ongoing negotiations.
Proposals for more affordable prices
The State, distributors and local authorities are aiming for a “20% average price reduction” of 2,500 basic necessities. Invited last Thursday to a round table at the prefecture with all the players in the mass distribution sector and institutions, the representatives of the RPPRAC left the negotiations after five minutes when the prefect refused to broadcast the discussions live on social networks.
To combat the high cost of living, the Territorial Community of Martinique has declared itself in favour of “eliminating the rates of sea tax (tax specific to overseas departments applying to imported goods) and regional sea tax on 54 product families”, or “several hundred” products.
