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Riot police had been brought in as protest action escalated
One of the early political scalps as the global cost of living inched up had been in Haiti in 2008.
Haitian Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis had been dismissed in April 2008 by the country's parliament over his handling of the already impoverished nation's food crisis.
Since then, Caribbean politicians have edged warily around the topic of rising food and fuel prices.
Many have sought temporary subsidies, some sought help from friendly richer nations, others from international institutions.
However, this week, it was the turn of another French-speaking part of the Caribbean to feel the raw edge of rising prices.
Escalating protests in the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe finally led to the use of riot police this week.
Appeal for calm
France's Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie appealed for calm in Guadeloupe on Tuesday, after a near month-long strike turned violent.
Protesters set fire to a dozen makeshift roadblocks erected around the capital Pointe-a-Pitre late Monday, and hurled rocks at police who tried to break up the barricades.
Gangs smashed storefront windows, looted shops and torched cars.
At one roadblock on the outskirts of the capital, protestors said police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd and that several people were injured.
Dozens were arrested on Monday, after demonstrators stepped up their near month-long protest against the rising cost of living.
Petrol stations on the island have started reopening
A statement from Mrs Alliot-Marie said that while everyone has a legitimate right to express themselves, "this right must not under any circumstances damage everyone's security or the public peace".
Mrs Alliot-Marie also said it was necessary for negotiations between the unions and employers to resume as soon as possible.
The island has been in turmoil since the strike was launched on 20 January by a coalition of trade unions called Collective Against Exploitation, or LKP.
The LKP had said it planned to step up protests this week, after the government failed to meet its demand for a $260 pay increase for low income earners.
Airport shut down
Guadeloupe's main airport had been temporarily shut down on Tuesday, following a night of looting and bonfires.
Authorities in the capital Pointe-a-Pitre cited security concerns closing the airport, after many employees failed to report for work.
The industrial action forced the closure of schools, shops, government offices.
Some petrol stations which had been blocked by protestors and forced to close earlier on have begun re-opening.
Holidays cancelled
The Socialist President of the Regional Council, Victorin Lurel, said the island was 'on the verge of revolt'.
Travellers have reportedly cancelled holidays
The Minister for Overseas Territories Yves Jego has so far failed in his attempts to resolve the dispute.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy has called a special meeting of overseas territories this week for further talks on the situation.
The protests started almost a month ago, bringing life on the islands to a standstill.
Thousands of tourists - an important source of revenue - have reportedly cancelled their holidays in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
<span style="font-weight: bold">The islands have a high cost of living and use the euro. </span>
Correspondents say many residents feel their salaries are not keeping up with rising prices.
Last time I was there a letter was missing off of the airport name, I can only imagine how it looks now. I also hope they are fighting for something of value because the France's minimum wage is already low compared to other European countries.
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