Prefect Alexandre Rochatte says he takes into account “fires of public property, roadblocks, throwing stones at the police, mortar fire” committed as part of the protests that began five days ago.
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The prefect of Guadeloupe has decided to institute a curfew from 6 p.m. (11 p.m. in Paris), Friday, November 19, until 5 a.m. the next day. This decision was made due to “ongoing social movements and acts of vandalism”, specifies a press release. Prefect Alexandre Rochatte says he takes into account “fires of public property, roadblocks, throwing stones at the police, mortar fire”, and also prohibits the sale of gasoline in jerry cans within the framework of this measure decided without limitation of date.
Given the ongoing social movements & acts of vandalism, the prefect #Guadeloupe, decided to establish a #Curfew counting from this day
from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The sale of gasoline in jerry cans is also prohibited.
Offenders will be liable to prosecution. pic.twitter.com/yPlh4EMB4o– Prefect of Guadeloupe (@ Prefet971) November 19, 2021
The mobilization launched five days ago by a collective of union and citizen organizations against the health pass and the vaccination obligation of caregivers against Covid-19 is now coupled with violence committed by rioters. The public prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre, Patrick Desjardins, announced the opening of two investigations for “degradation by fire in an organized gang and theft with degradation in an organized gang”, concerning “store attacks”, including five looted jewelry stores in Pointe-à-Pitre.
>> Covid-19 in Guadeloupe: four questions on the general strike against the compulsory vaccination of caregivers and the health pass
The government had already raised the tone by announcing the dispatch of 200 police and gendarmes. These reinforcements will be there “in the next few days”, announced the Overseas Ministers Sébastien Lecornu and the Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, condemning “with the greatest firmness the violence which has taken place in recent hours in Guadeloupe“.
After a particularly violent night from Thursday to Friday, schools remained closed on Friday and, due to numerous roadblocks, activity is slowing down. In front of the CHU, the only vehicles authorized to enter are the ambulances. The dialysis centers of Guadeloupe have also alerted on “a danger of death” for nearly 800 patients whose roadblocks could prevent access to care.