France Extends Curfew Measures in Martinique Amid Protests

Reuters

The local administration of Martinique has announced an extension of curfew measures for one week to address civil unrest stemming from violent protests over rising living costs. 

The curfew will now be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time until October 21, allowing residents to be outdoors only for work or health-related reasons, such as visiting a hospital. 

Originally set to end on October 14, the initial curfew measures also included a ban on purchasing items that could be used for arson. The local administration decided to prolong the curfew “to guarantee the safety of people and property.” 

Protests are not uncommon in French overseas territories like Martinique, Guadeloupe, and New Caledonia, where residents frequently express grievances about living standards that are considerably lower than those in mainland France. 

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