France takes control of some Martinique fuel stations amid protests

(Reuters) - French authorities on Wednesday said they were taking control of some fuel stations on the Caribbean island territory of Martinique due to concerns about fuel supplies following days of protests against measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Residents angry over the management of the pandemic, and specifically over vaccination requirements for health workers, have in recent days set up burning barricades and in some cases exchanged gunfire with police.

The vaccine mandate also applies in mainland France, but has touched a nerve among majority Black population in Martinique and the neighboring island Guadaloupe. Some have called the mandate a throwback to the slavery era, insisting they should be allowed to make their own choices about health treatment.

The Martinique prefect said in a statement that it was taking over seven fuel stations to ensure supply for emergency workers such as fire fighters and ambulances "due to supply risks at gas stations."

Protesters in recent days have set up barricades that in some cases include burning cars. Local authorities cleared away some of the debris, according to a Reuters witness, after a union leader called for the barricades to be lifted due to violence.