Unrest erupted in Fort-de-France following the arrest of Rodrigue Petitot, a leader in the anti-high cost of living movement. Clashes ensued as protesters gathered outside the police station, resulting in violence, looting, and injuries. Petitot was detained after allegedly invading a government residence to demand a meeting with the Minister of Overseas Territories. The situation escalated with rioters attacking law enforcement and setting fires, prompting a strong response from security forces amid ongoing protests against rising living costs in Martinique.
Unrest Erupts in Fort-de-France Amid Arrest of Protest Leader
Violence and looting erupted in Fort-de-France late Tuesday into Wednesday following the detention of Rodrigue Petitot, a prominent figure in the anti-high cost of living movement in Martinique. The prefecture reported that eight individuals were arrested, alongside three minor injuries resulting from the clashes.
Rodrigue Petitot, famously known as ‘the R’, is the head of the Assembly for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC). He was taken into police custody at the central police station in the island’s capital after allegations surfaced regarding home invasion and intimidation against public officials, as confirmed by the prosecutor’s office.
Protests Escalate Following Arrest
The incident began Monday night when Petitot, accompanied by three associates, forcefully entered the prefectural residence in the upscale Didier neighborhood of Fort-de-France. Their objective was to secure a meeting with the Minister of Overseas Territories, François-Noël Buffet, who was visiting Martinique at the time.
Following his arrest, around 350 people gathered outside the police station, as stated in a press release from the prefecture. Rioters unleashed grenades, mortars, and gunfire targeting mobile gendarmes, resulting in three minor injuries.
Confrontations escalated as ‘armed rioters’ hurled projectiles and Molotov cocktails at law enforcement. The prefecture reported that security forces had to disperse the crowd using force to regain control.
Throughout the night, attempts were made to ignite vehicles and buildings in downtown Fort-de-France and Saint-Joseph, while barricades were constructed in the streets. The chaos resulted in the looting of six stores, with authorities confirming that eight individuals were apprehended during the unrest.
The prefect of Martinique, Jean-Christophe Bouvier, personally intervened to prevent Petitot’s entry into his residence, describing the actions of the collective leaders as ‘unacceptable, unimaginable, intolerable.’
In response to the situation, Aude Goussard, secretary of RPPRAC, expressed her concerns on local radio RCI, stating, ‘We expect the R to be released. I fear tonight will bring further disturbances, which will be the responsibility of the prefect and the minister.’
Additionally, the Martinique Transport Authority reported that a burning barricade was erected on Maurice Bishop Avenue in the Sainte-Thérèse neighborhood, where Petitot claimed residence. Consequently, public transport services in the central region were suspended.
Minister François-Noël Buffet had arrived in Martinique on Monday for a four-day visit and expressed his intention to engage with the island’s community, including the leaders of RPPRAC, who had just returned from a ten-day visit to Paris to coordinate protests.
Since September, Martinique has been grappling with a movement against soaring living costs, which has intensified into urban riots and violence, predominantly at night. Prefecture figures indicate that over 230 vehicles have been intentionally set ablaze and numerous businesses have been vandalized or looted during this period.