Guadeloupe Covid riots leave burnt cars and buildings

The unrest erupted last week in the French island territory over COVID curbs imposed by Paris, including the mandatory vaccination of health workers and health pass rules, but it has also revealed a deeper discontent over the relationship between some overseas territories and metropolitan France.

"We have no answer to our demands. And the only answer the French state has given is to send soldiers and police here - that's how we're being treated in this country," Elie Domota, a representative of the LKP citizen's collective, said.

France has deployed 200 extra police officers, including elite police commandos, to Guadeloupe to quell the unrest.

Local police have arrested several dozen people and food stores and pharmacies have been looted.

French media reported on Sunday that rioters had broken into an arms depot in Pointe-a-Pitre and taken rifles.