‘I am not Father Christmas’, Macron tells French Guiana as riots erupt during visit

David Chazan Paris 27 October 2017 • 5:04pm

Masked protesters carry flags as they take part in a demonstration during the visit by the French President Credit: RONAN LIETAR/REUTERS

Riots erupted during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to French Guiana after he incensed protesters by ruling out additional state aid for the impoverished South American territory, saying: “I am not Father Christmas.”

Demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at police, who responded with tear gas. Five protesters were arrested and two police officers were hurt in several hours of clashes on Thursday night.

Tension has been high since a general strike over high unemployment and violent crime six months ago. Protesters lifted a road blockade after the previous Socialist government promised to inject more than €1 billion into the economy of France’s overseas territory bordering Brazi and consider investing a further €2 billion.

“The state has made too many promises that have not been kept,” Mr Macron said soon after his arrival. “I’m not here to make grand promises that are hot air. You don’t believe in the promises of Father Christmas. I am not Father Christmas because the Guianese are not children.”

Line Létard, a local councillor, said Mr Macron’s approach was “extremely damaging”. She urged him to “show respect for Guiana… by giving it what it has the right to expect from the French Republic.”

Protesters gather outside the prefecture as they take part in a demonstration during the visit by the French President in Cayenne Credit: RONAN LIETAR/ REUTERS

Days before Mr Macron left Paris, his office had provoked anger by urging journalists covering the visit to avoid unprotected sex, eating raw vegetables or drinking tap water. The advice was denounced in French Guiana as “colonialist”.

During his election campaign, he incorrectly referred to French Guiana as an island, which exacerbated local feelings that Paris cares little about the territory.

Its people are better off than their neighbours in Guyana, but twice as poor as residents of metropolitan France. The unemployment rate is 22.3 per cent, more than twice that of mainland France.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with natives during a visit to Maripasoula Credit: ALAIN JOCARD/ AFP

Mr Macron promised more police to tackle the high crime rate and illegal immigration into French Guiana, both long-standing local grievances. But he said the Republic “does not yield to people in masks”, referring to the violent protests.