French Guiana paralysed as tensions mount before strike

CAYENNE: French Guiana came to a standstill Sunday on the eve of a major strike which has elbowed its way into France’s presidential campaign.

Air France cancelled all flights to the South American territory for Sunday and Monday, when 37 labour unions were to launch a general strike demanding a “Marshall Plan” to improve public services and security.

Barricades have been erected on roads since last week, and the US State Department has warned travellers to stay away, citing the risk of violence.

The protests also led to the indefinite postponement of an Arianespace rocket launch at Europe’s Guiana Space Centre in Kourou.

The French government has sent a delegation to negotiate with the strikers, asking them to lay out their demands.

But 13 of the territory’s 22 mayors have refused to meet the delegation, demanding along with the strikers that French ministers come in person.

“This has gone on long enough! All we have is plundered, it’s time to recognise the people of Guiana,” a woman at the barricade blocking access to the airport at Cayenne, the capital, told AFP on Sunday.

“I am listening to the Guianans,” said Ericka Bareigts, the minister of overseas territories, though she has ruled out travelling to the territory for now.

“We will be able to go to Guiana once the conditions are right and progress has been made,” she said. —AFP