French Guiana: government calls for roadblocks to be lifted

PARIS – The French government is calling on protesters in French Guiana to lift their roadblocks after a 1 billion-euro government plan to help the South American territory was presented during a Cabinet meeting.

Protesters in the French territory in South America have already rejected the plan as too little to solve their economic and security problems. They are asking for 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion).

Strikes and protests have paralyzed the territory in recent weeks, forcing schools to close, disrupting business and a rocket launch.

Thousands of protesters gathered Tuesday in front of the Guiana space centre to express anger at high unemployment, crime and living costs.

The government plan presented Wednesday aims at improving education and health care services and developing Guiana’s major sectors: transports, tourism, mine industry, fishing industry, energy and construction.