The Canadian Government and the US

Department of State have issued travel advisories for their citizens amid civil

protest in the Caribbean country of Dominica.

Dominica, and a hotly contested general election which comes to a head on Friday, has had sporadic instances of blocked roads, disorderly conduct, burning debris and police-civilian confrontation in sections of the mountainous island.

While the advisories aren’t labelled ‘extreme’,

both countries have urged their citizens to exercise increased caution amid

today’s general elections.

“Exercise increased caution in Dominica due to civil unrest. Demonstrations and protests can take place with little or no notice.  Local authorities have used tear gas to disrupt protests,” the US State Department’s indicated.Bureau of Consular Affairs

 “Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation,” the Government of Canada noted.

US and Canadian citizens are being urged to

avoid areas where protests and other large gatherings are taking place, as well

as monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.

Since mid-November 2019, protests have

happened throughout Dominica, including violent incidents.

There are reports of burning barricades blocking access to the Douglas-Charles airport in Marigot.

BUZZ has been informed that several flights have been disrupted and cruise ship arrivals have been cancelled until further notice.

PROTESTS IN MARIGOT, DOMINICA -DECEMBER 2ND, 2019PROTESTS IN MARIGOT, DOMINICA -DECEMBER 2ND, 2019Posted by Times Caribbean on Monday, December 2, 2019

Scandal, unrest and general unease in Dominica

The pro­test­ers, main­ly sup­port­ers of the opposition Unit­ed Work­ers Par­ty (UWP), are de­mand­ing elec­toral re­forms ahead of the polls. They want to en­sure the sanc­ti­ty of the Vot­ers’ Lists.

Most of the reports of block­ed roads and burn­ing de­bris is lim­it­ed to two key ar­eas—the Marig­ot and Sal­is­bury con­stituen­cies—which are strongholds of the UWP.

The Roosevelt Skerrit-led Dominica Labour Party (DLP) has been in power since 2004 and recent media reports uncovered a corruption scheme where government officials offered diplomatic passports to criminals in exchange for funds to finance the party.