France Boosts Military in Guadeloupe to Combat Soaring Drug Violence

France is set to enhance its military and police presence in Guadeloupe to tackle a surge in cocaine trafficking that has led to unprecedented violence in the Caribbean territory. This decision, announced today, follows alarming statistics indicating a 45 percent increase in cocaine seizures in France during the first half of 2025.

Local officials in Guadeloupe and Martinique report that their concerns are finally being acknowledged. However, some experts in organized crime caution that these measures may be insufficient to address the escalating crisis. In the first six months of this year, authorities seized a record 37.5 tonnes of cocaine, compared to 47 tonnes for the entire year of 2024, with over half of these drugs linked to the French Caribbean.

The combined population of Guadeloupe and Martinique is just over 750,000, and officials are alarmed by the intensifying drug-related violence affecting their communities. As previously reported, the region has struggled with drug trafficking for years, but recent trends suggest that the situation is worsening.

With this increased military presence, French authorities aim to restore order and curb the flow of narcotics. The impact of these new measures will be closely monitored, as local residents and officials hope for a significant change in the current climate of fear and violence.