Since October 17, Guadeloupe has been facing frequent power outages due to a strike launched by employees of EDF-PEI, the island’s electricity supplier. The social movement, which began on September 15, is demanding salary increases and improvements in working conditions. This strike has notably led to outages affecting tens of thousands of residents, impacting 73,000 customers in 20 of the 32 municipalities of the archipelago, including some of the most densely populated areas such as Les Abymes, Baie-Mahault, and Le Gosier.
In response to the increasingly visible disruptions, local authorities have deployed an enhanced security measure in several key areas of the island, which is expected to remain in effect until the beginning of November. The situation is being closely monitored, as tensions surrounding the strike have escalated following several unsuccessful attempts at negotiations between the unions and management, with workers having so far rejected the proposed agreements from the leaders and local authorities.
This situation also highlights a more tense social climate in Guadeloupe, where public safety remains a priority for authorities due to the resurgence of violent crimes and the increase in offenses involving youth in certain urban neighborhoods since the beginning of the year. Residents and visitors are therefore advised to exercise caution, especially in areas affected by power outages, which increase the risks of security incidents, particularly regarding traffic and surveillance systems
