Riots erupted during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to French Guiana after he incensed protesters by ruling out additional state aid for the impoverished South American territory, saying: “I am not Father Christmas”, reports The Telegraph.
Demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at police, who responded with tear gas. Five protesters were arrested and two police officers were hurt in several hours of clashes on Thursday night.
Tension has been high since a general strike over high unemployment and violent crime six months ago. Protesters lifted a road blockade after the previous socialist government promised to inject more than 1 billion euros into the economy of France’s overseas territory bordering Brazi and consider investing a further 2 billion euros.
“The state has made too many promises that have not been kept,” Mr Macron said soon after his arrival. “I’m not here to make grand promises that are hot air. You don’t believe in the promises of Father Christmas. I am not Father Christmas because the Guianese are not children.”
Line Létard, a local councillor, said Mr Macron’s approach was “extremely damaging”. She urged him to “show respect for Guiana… by giving it what it has the right to expect from the French Republic.”
Days before Mr Macron left Paris, his office had provoked anger by urging journalists covering the visit to avoid unprotected sex, eating raw vegetables or drinking tap water. The advice was denounced in French Guiana as “colonialist”.