“Reports of” is journo-speak for “I am unable to corroborate the story at the level of the two-source rule, but I am afraid of being scooped so I’ll tell you this rumor I just heard.”
Take “reports of” anything with a Trumply-'uge grain of salt.
GIven the jaundiced view of la Republique held by many black French Antilleans, I would not be surprised if many residents of St. Martin are in no mood to be bossed around by soldiers or gendarmes if the latter aren’t actually doing something useful, and are making their attitude clear. As someone who does not represent the French republic, I suspect if I were there I would have little reason to be afraid of those “gangs.” (Of Jose, however? I’d be wetting myself.)
