· Organisation founded
Founding of the UPLG, 1978
The lead organisation of the Guadeloupean independence movement was founded.
Significance here: The founding organisation of the Guadeloupean independence movement.
Guadeloupe independence
This bundle covers the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG), founded in 1978, which advocates full independence for Guadeloupe from France, and its continued 2026 calls for a UN-supervised self-determination referendum. It separately documents the 2009 Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon (LKP) general strike, which the UPLG joined, as a distinct, primarily socioeconomic protest movement over cost-of-living and anti-colonial economic grievances, not itself a declared independence campaign, per the catalogue's instruction not to presume all political actors seek secession.
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- 1 min read
- Published
- Status verified as of
What is this case about?
The People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG) was founded in 1978 by Claude Makouké, advocating full independence for Guadeloupe from France.[1] In 2026 statements, the UPLG called on Guadeloupeans to reject institutional compromises short of full national sovereignty, asserting that only a UN-supervised self-determination referendum would constitute a legitimate process.[2] Separately, the Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon (LKP), a coalition of roughly fifty trade unions and social movements which the UPLG joined, led a 44-day general strike beginning 20 January 2009 primarily over cost-of-living and anti-"pwofitasyon" economic grievances, concluding with the Jacques Bino agreement; this strike is documented as a primarily socioeconomic protest movement with anti-colonial framing rather than a declared independence campaign in its own right.[3]
At a glance
Current position
Status verified as of
Guadeloupe remains a French overseas department and region. No independence referendum has been held. The UPLG continues to call for a UN-supervised self-determination referendum, most recently in 2026 statements, though no such referendum has been scheduled by French authorities.[2]
History
History of Guadeloupe independence advocacy
From the UPLG's 1978 founding, through the 2009 LKP general strike, to the 2026 referendum demand.
60 words · 1 min read
Key dates
Full timeline· Protest
LKP general strike, 2009
A broad coalition led a 44-day general strike over cost-of-living and anti-colonial economic grievances.
Significance here: A major socioeconomic mobilisation in Guadeloupe that the UPLG joined, though the strike's core demands were economic rather than an independence declaration.
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: The People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG) was founded in 1978 by Claude Makouké as a far-left political organisation advocating full independence for Guadeloupe from France.
- People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (Wikipedia) link, Founding section. Source record
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2.
Claim: In 2026 statements, the UPLG called on Guadeloupeans to reject institutional compromises short of full national sovereignty, asserting that only a United Nations-supervised self-determination referendum would constitute a legitimate process for resolving Guadeloupe's political status.
- Guadeloupe. Politique. L'UPLG réclame l'indépendance totale face aux manœuvres institutionnelles (Caraib Creole News) link, 2026 statement section. Source record
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3.
Claim: The Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon (LKP), a coalition of roughly fifty trade unions and social movements which the UPLG joined, led a 44-day general strike in Guadeloupe beginning 20 January 2009, primarily demanding a €200 monthly pay increase for low-income workers and protesting "pwofitasyon" (extreme economic exploitation); the strike concluded with the Jacques Bino agreement, signed by the LKP, employers, the local government, and the French state, and is documented here as a primarily socioeconomic protest movement with anti-colonial framing rather than a declared independence campaign in its own right.
- Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon (Wikipedia) link, 2009 strike and outcome section. Source record