Hot Topics from Martinique and the Caribbean – Edition 7 - Outre-mer La 1ère

A weekly selection, in English, of the news stories that made the headlines in Martinique. We've got all the angles covered, politics, economy, society, culture and sport.

Fort-de-France : Bateau de croisière au terminal de la Pointe-Simon. · ©Caroline Popovic Cruise ship captains warn passagers of dangers while visiting Martinique :On-board briefings by cruise ship personnel are creating hard times for businesses in Martinique that depend on the tourism industry. Cruise ship passengers are being informed of protest marches and gun violence that is currently creating an unstable conditions on the island. Independent businesses and taxis complain that tours and excursions being cancelled at the last minute. Some people just prefer to stay on cruise ship while it is docked in Fort de France. Only the bravest passengers disembark.Tour operators who have signed contracts with the cruise ship companies are not affected.

Three men were shot dead during one night of gun violence in Martinique. Two young men died from gun shot wounds in the town of Trois-Ilets . Another man was gunned down in the community of Petit-Bourg in Rivière Salée where a 4th person was also seriously wounded. The motive for the killings is unknown.

Despite greater efforts at law enforcement, illegal guns continue to enter Martinique. The authorities in Martinique confirm that arms trafficking begins in the United States where guns such as Glocks, AR-15's and Taurus revolvers are legally purchased. The firearms are first shipped to St. Lucia before arriving in Martinique on board fishing vessels. Several trafficking rings have been dismantled but the trade continues. 

Martinique is the French territory with the highest number of people over the age of 60.  Young people tend to leave the country to find work overseas. Young couples who remain in Martinique are choosing to have fewer children. The situation will be costly for Martinique. The territory will have to provide more and more specialized health care and create housing and homes for the elderly.

A special guided tour of the cemetery La Levée in Fort de France was one of the highlights of the All Saints days celebration.  Nearly 40 people discovered why this cemetery, situated in the heart of town, is known as the “cemetery of the rich”. Several political and business elites are buried here in ornate and highly decorated tombs.

The north Atlantic town of Basse-Pointe welcomes the best French surfers in the Masters category.  The spot known as “Pwent Sonn” brings together a group of 40 male and female surfers, aged 35 years and over, who are all looking to win one of the 8 national titles that is up for grabs.

The president of El Salvador has a mission to put an end to the actions of those who seek to destroy the heritage of Jean Jacques Dessalines, the father of Haiti's independence. These actions deprive Haitian people of their freedom.  Bukele dispatched 2000 soldiers and several tons of military equipment to Port au Prince after 4 aviation specialists from his country were kidnapped by Haitian gangs.  This deployment was not authorized by the Haitian authorities or by the United Nations. Nayib Bukele got the green light for this operation from Donald Trump, president of the United States.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the leaders of 56 former British colonies, all members of the Commonwealth, met to discuss development initiatives. However, Caribbean leaders want King Charles III, the head of the Commonwealth, to apologize for the participation of his ancestors in the Atlantic slave trade. The king only expressed deep personal sadness for the horror of slavery. In addition to an apology, Caribbean leaders want Great Britain to pay reparations.

Vous pouvez désormais privilégier l'affichage des articles d’Outre-mer La 1ère dans les résultats de recherche Google.