France’s Return to Colonial Tactics: Why the Deployment of Anti-Riot Forces in Martinique is Raising Eyebrows

The French government has resurrected its special anti-riot forces, banned in the Caribbean for over six decades, deploying them to Martinique amid protests over soaring living costs. The historic decision to send in these forces, which were last involved in bloody riots in 1959, is being viewed by many as a return to France’s colonial playbook.

In a move that harks back to a darker colonial era, France has sent its Companies for Republican Security (CRS) to Martinique—a unit notorious for its brutal suppression tactics in the 1959 riots that left young protesters dead. This controversial deployment comes after a week of violent unrest, sparked by crippling living expenses and marked by gunfire and widespread looting.

Local leaders in Martinique requested the CRS intervention, but not all citizens are on board with this decision. Béatrice Bellay, a well-known local figure, has voiced strong opposition, arguing that the situation is being exaggerated to justify the use of these forces. “We are not at war,” she said, “The people have legitimate demands, and these actions only deepen divisions.”

The CRS, known for their role in suppressing protests during France’s colonial era, were banned from the region for 65 years due to their disproportionate use of force in handling previous unrest (Euronews). While authorities argue that these measures are necessary to restore order, the question remains: Is this deployment truly about maintaining peace, or is it a symptom of France’s unresolved colonial guilt?

France’s long history of using heavy-handed tactics in its overseas territories has always drawn controversy, but the situation in Martinique—an island where economic inequality continues to fuel resentment—seems poised to boil over. With peaceful protests still ongoing despite bans, one can’t help but ask: Is this just the beginning of a broader resistance?