Tourists visiting a popular Mediterranean vacation destination have received a caution from a masked armed group. Corsica, renowned for its beautiful beaches, historic towns, and delicious food, has been targeted by a separatist organization, the Corsican National Liberation Front-Union of Combatants (FLNC-UC).
In a recent video release, the FLNC-UC displayed armed militants warning against individuals purchasing second homes on the island, stating that such individuals should not feel secure. The group, advocating for Corsican independence from France, criticized the influx of people to the region as “colonization driven by rampant settlement.”
The separatists, in rejecting an autonomy proposal, prompted French anti-terror prosecutors to launch a preliminary inquiry. The investigation will focus on potential conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and the possession of weapons for such activities.
Despite the FLNC-UC’s opposition, a bill recognizing Corsica as a distinct cultural entity within the French Republic has passed the lower house of Parliament and is set for Senate review in October. The group claims that the bill undermines Corsican identity and rejects key demands of recent decades, insisting that Corsica should not be reduced to a mere administrative region.
The FLNC-UC highlighted a significant increase in the number of individuals moving to Corsica annually from mainland France, either for employment or property investment, particularly in second homes, which the group labeled as “invaders.”
Originally established in 1976, the FLNC has been involved in various attacks over the years, including a recent series of bombings in 2023 targeting holiday residences and public buildings. Despite internal divisions, the group continues to advocate for Corsican independence.