France Deploys Military Police to Caribbean Islands Amid Unrest Over Vaccine Mandate

Protesters take part in a demonstration against compulsory Covid-19 vaccinations in front of the Prefecture of Martinique in Fort-de-France, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, on Nov. 30, 2021. Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images

The French government has deployed military police to the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe amid intensifying protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic related restrictions.

Following several weeks of unrest and violent protests over COVID-19 measures—including a vaccine mandate for health care workers—police reinforcements were sent to the French Caribbean territories on Tuesday.