In an unprecedented move that has left the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe entirely without electricity, striking workers have seized control of the territory’s main power station. The dramatic action, which occurred on Friday, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing unrest over the widening gap in living standards between France’s overseas departments and the mainland.
Power Station Takeover Leaves Guadeloupe in the Dark
According to the Guadeloupe prefecture, employees at the power station in the industrial zone of Jarry entered the command room and “caused an emergency shutdown of all the engines.” The resulting power cut has affected the daily lives of the nearly 380,000 inhabitants of the archipelago, with critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, relying on backup generators to maintain essential services.
Tensions Mounting Over Inequality
The power station takeover is the latest in a series of protests and strikes that have erupted across French overseas territories, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, and New Caledonia in the Pacific. Residents of these regions have long complained about the stark differences in living standards compared to metropolitan France, with issues such as higher costs of living, lower wages, and inadequate public services fueling growing discontent.
We manage as best we can
Leon Prosper Jimmy, Ambulance Driver in Pointe-à-Pitre
The power outages have had a significant impact on daily life in Jarry, the economic powerhouse of Guadeloupe. Ambulance drivers like Leon Prosper Jimmy have reported difficulties in responding to emergencies, as non-functioning elevators in apartment buildings force them to carry patients. “We manage as best we can,” the 41-year-old said, noting that he often relies on the fire brigade or other services for backup.
Government Response and Utility Criticism
The French government has mobilized “services and operators” to restore power as quickly as possible, according to Energy Minister Olga Givernet. However, EDF, the company responsible for providing electricity to Guadeloupe, has criticized the strikers’ actions. Marie-Line Bassette, director of EDF, called the blackout “irresponsible” and argued that there are better means to manage such situations than depriving the entire island of power.
A Fragile Power System
Guadeloupe’s power production is primarily thermal, with 70% of its electricity generated by burning fuel oil or wood pellets. The island manages its own electricity needs and has no interconnection agreements with other countries, making it particularly vulnerable to disruptions like the current power station takeover.
Unrest Spreads to Martinique
The unrest over living conditions has not been confined to Guadeloupe. In Martinique, another French Caribbean island, protesters have defied curfews and clashed with police in demonstrations that have been ongoing for more than a month. The Martinique administration reported that one person was arrested overnight, and many businesses have warned of the “catastrophic” impact the protests are having on the local economy.
A Call for Change
The power station takeover in Guadeloupe and the ongoing unrest in French overseas territories underscore the urgent need to address the long-standing inequalities faced by residents of these regions. As the protests continue to disrupt daily life and threaten the economic stability of the islands, pressure is mounting on the French government to take concrete steps to improve living standards and bridge the gap between its overseas departments and the mainland.
The striking workers’ actions in Guadeloupe, while controversial, have succeeded in drawing international attention to the plight of French overseas territories and the growing discontent among their populations. As the island grapples with the fallout from the power outage and the French government works to restore electricity, the underlying issues of inequality and the demand for change remain at the forefront of the public consciousness.
