Guadeloupe: Officials likely to maintain heightened security and related restrictions in Guadeloupe through early November /update 1

Heightened security and related movement restrictions are likely to persist through early November amid an ongoing strike and related unrest. Officials enforced an overnight curfew from 22:00 Oct. 26-05:00 Oct. 27 in response to the looting of businesses Oct. 25 in various locations in Pointe-a-Pitre. The curfew covered Abymes, Baie-Mahault, Gosier, Lamentin, Le Moule, Morne-a-l'Eau, Petit-Canal, Pointe-a-Pitre, Sainte-Anne, and Sainte-Rose. The looting coincided with a power outage caused by an ongoing strike by employees of the archipelago's EDF-PEI electrical utility company. Striking workers reportedly took control of the Jarry power station on Oct. 25, leading to widespread power outages. The purpose of the strike, which began Sept. 15, is to press for increased salaries and improved working conditions.

It remains unclear how long the work stoppage may last; the union leaders have thus far rejected management's proposals for a resolution and government calls for renewed negotiations. Significant business and transport disruptions are likely until the dispute is resolved. Additional power outages are also likely. During power outages, additional criminal incidents, including looting and vandalism, are possible. Officials could implement additional restrictions, such as curfews, or deploy additional security personnel in response to developments or assessments.