The French government deployed the special anti-riot police, the Republican Security Companies (CRS), to Martinique on Sept. 22 in response to ongoing protests over the rising cost of living on the French-ruled Caribbean island. The deployment marks the first time CRS units have been sent to Martinique since they were banned from the territory in December 1959, following violent protests in departmental capital Fort-de-France that drew widespread criticism over heavy-handed police intervention. The CRS 8 unit, established in July 2021, is designed for "urban violence and high-intensity law enforcement operations," according to the French Ministry of the Interior.

Since early September, demonstrations have spread around the island over the cost of living. According to the French statistical agency, consumer prices in Martinique were approximately 14% higher than in mainland France as of 2022. The discontent has spilled over to nearby Guadeloupe, where demonstrations have also been reported.

In response, the French government, represented by the prefect of Martinique, imposed an evening curfew on Sept. 19. The prefect's announcement stated that 27 people had been arrested since the demonstrations began. Authorities have also set up several roadblocks to control movement around protest sites, and several gunshots have been fired at police during the unrest.

The prefect issued an order banning demonstrations in Fort-de-France, Le Lamentin, Ducos and Le Robert for three days beginning on Sept. 20. In a press release on Sept. 21, Prefect Jean-Christophe Bouvier promised to address the island's cost-of-living crisis, while also asking for peace from island residents.

On Sept. 23, the prefect announced that a "major security operation was deployed" over the weekend, a reference to the CRS 8 and the territory's "internal security forces."  

From Jurist, Sept. 23. Used with permission.

Note: Fluctuations in the price of oil and grain since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022 have contributed to popular privation and unrest worldwide.

See our last reports on the struggle in Martinique and Guadeloupe.