Guadeloupe

Mayor in French Caribbean vows to 'fight on' after judges dismiss pesticide pollution case

Écologie — Interview

Earlier this month judges in Paris dismissed a legal case brought by residents from the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe over the widespread use of the pesticide chlordecone which has polluted local ecosystems. The Green mayor of Pointe-à-Pitrre in Guadeloupe, Harry Durimel, who is also a lawyer acting for victims of the pesticide, has announced his intention to appeal. In an interview with Mediapart's Mickaël Correia, he talks about the harmful impact of the court ruling – including on how France's overseas citizens will now view the French state.

Marine Le Pen heckled by protesters in Guadeloupe

France — Link

According to opinion polls, President Emmanuel Macron Macron and Le Pen are the most likely candidates to win the first round of the election. 

Paris sends police reinforcements to Guadeloupe as riots continue

France — Link

France has sent police reinforcements, including elite units, to its Caribbean island La Guadeloupe after a week of riots escalated this weekend, amid protests against the introduction of restrictions on movement to counter the coronavirus epidemic, and to a background of long-simmering social unrest. 

Paris sends aid as Caribbean islands struggle with Covid surge

France — Link

Sixty Covid-19 deaths have been recorded in hospitals in Guadeloupe since August 9 out of a total of 357 since the beginning of the pandemic and incidence rate has shot up to 1,912 cases per 100,000 population.

French overseas territories hit hard by the Delta variant

France — Link

President Macron called the situation is 'dramatic' as he opened a virtual meeting with his senior cabinet ministers to discuss the epidemic.

Dock dues tax: the colonial hangover that still costs French overseas citizens dear

France

One of the recurring complaints of consumers living in France's overseas regions is how high the cost of living is compared with Metropolitan France. At the heart of this criticism is the 'octroi de mer' or dock dues, a tax paid on the import of goods to these territories. This tax has been in place since 1670 and the start of the French colonial system. And the European Union has just agreed to continue it to at least 2027. Julien Sartre reports on the history and impact of a tax that is a throwback to colonial days and which still leaves a burden on often poor French consumers living in overseas départements.

Hurricane Maria leaves one dead, two missing in Guadeloupe

France — Link

One person was killed by a falling tree, while two more were reported missing after boat sank off an island in the French territory’s archipelago.

Emmanuel Macron visits hurricane-hit Caribbean islands

France — Link

French President Emmanuel Macron is on a tour of the French Caribbean islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, which were both devastated last week by Hurricane Irma, promising aid to rebuild homes and infrastructures, while controversy continues over his government's management of events before and after the disaster.

Bitter legacy of a once-mighty French newspaper empire

France — Investigation

The Hersant newspaper group disintegrated a few years ago, following massive job losses, the closure of titles and insolvencies. However the demise of this once-powerful group which had owned close to 50% of the national and local French press, is still having an impact in French overseas territories where it also had a strong base. Julien Sartre reports on the lingering effects of the fall of a newspaper empire which had influence around the globe.

France restricts blood transfusions over Zika virus

France — Link

Anyone returning to France from an area where there has been an outbreak of the virus will have to wait 28 days before giving blood.

French Caribbean takes measures in face of Zika epidemic

France — Link

Paris is sending extra hospital equipment as officials say Martinique and French Guiana have had about 100 confirmed Zika cases.

Hollande opens slavery memorial on French Caribbean island Guadeloupe

France — Link

The French president, on a tour of Caribbean islands, paid homage to slaves and their sacrifices at the memorial, the first of its kind on French soil.

French yachtsman sets new record for transatlantic race

France — Link

Loïck Peyron sailed the 3,542 miles from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe in Route de Rhum race in just over seven days and 15 hours.