Martinique: This fake news at the origin of new riots and violence

In the midst of the high cost of living crisis in Martinique, a fake news story has caused & Riots at Martinique-Aimé-Césaire International Airport. Dozens of people have invaded one of the landing strips.

New clashes took place in Fort-de-France, Martinique, at Aimé-Cézaire airport. According to a press release from the prefect, “rumors circulated on social networks (…) that 300 or 350 CRS officers were expected to arrive in Martinique by plane.” This rumor, which was false, led several dozen people to invade one of the airport's runways. The events took place on the afternoon of Thursday, October 10, i.e. during the night from Thursday to Friday in mainland France. The police reportedly arrested eight people, according to AFP.

Continued à Following this violence, the airport was attacked. closed. According to the press release; of the prefect, “three planes, or more than 1,000 passengers, (were) diverted to Guadeloupe . 500 passengers who were due to leave on these planes are stuck at Fort-de-France airport. The prefect ” ;calls for a return to calm”.

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A context of strong tensions since September

After this violent episode at the airport, the riots continued into the night in this context of violence following the movement against the high cost of living that began in September. 26 police officers and gendarmes have been injured since the start of the demonstrations. The island's prefect even declared a curfew and banned demonstrations until Monday.

The high tensions were caused by the price difference, including for the most basic and essential products, between mainland France and Martinique. While a bag of sandwich bread costs around €1.50 in mainland France, it is nearly €11 in Martinique. Most products are twice as expensive there. This is It is because of these high prices, which greatly reduce the purchasing power of the island's inhabitants, who feel abandoned by the government, that tensions have broken out.

Supermarkets are regularly looted and protesters use violence to make their distress heard. One man was shot dead. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown, but it is believed to have been a settling of scores between rioters, since the police did not use their weapons during the riots. The person was found seriously injured by the gendarmerie, who were intervening against the looting of a shopping center. Taken to hospital, the man did not survive.