«From missionary to consular officer, I’ve made Martinique my home.»
On August 1, 1993, after 91 years of operation, the U.S. Consulate in Fort-de-France closed its doors. The State Department had made this decision due to budget constraints, despite efforts by Martinican elected officials and the French government to keep the consulate open. However, Washington resolved to maintain a consular presence in Martinique by opening an office there attached to the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados. It was in this context that Henry Ritchie was appointed U.S. Consular Officer in Fort-de-France, with jurisdiction over the French West Indies, in November 1993; he held this position until March 2015, thus setting the record for the longest tenure of a U.S. official in Martinique.
Henry Ritchie is thus a privileged witness to the relationship between the French West Indies and the United States, but he is also a man of faith and conviction. He arrived in Martinique in 1978 as a Pentecostal missionary and put down roots there, starting a family and building a community. Through his various commitments, his journey has been marked by human adventures, memorable anecdotes, and challenges overcome. In this interview, he reflects on his role as a public servant, his love for Martinique, and the highlights of a career dedicated to others—with the smile and warmth that characterize him.
When and why did you settle in Martinique? What was your life like before you joined the U.S. Foreign Service?
Well, I was born on May 22, 1951, in Raymond, a small town in Pacific County, Washington, on the Northwest Coast of the United States. My parents lived on an Indian reservation. My father, in fact, was a member of the Potawatomi tribe. I identify as a Native American (he shows us his membership card for the Forest County Potawatomi Community).
At the age of 16, following a revelation, I decided to devote myself to religion. I became a pastor after completing three years of study at the Apostolic Bible Institute in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was there that I married Sharon in 1970. Five years later, we moved to London, where I became dean of the Bible School.
In 1977, we were appointed as Pentecostal missionaries to Martinique, where we arrived the following year. Our work has also taken us to other islands in the Caribbean and as far as French Guiana. In 1998, we founded the United Pentecostal Church of Martinique, where I am still the pastor.
«In 1993, the U.S. Ambassador to Barbados offered me the position of consular officer following the closure of the consulate in Fort-de-France, a role I held for more than 21 years.»
Why and under what circumstances did you apply for the position of U.S. consular officer? Did you have any connections with the U.S. Consulate in Fort-de-France?
No, I didn’t really have any connections with the U.S. Consulate. But in 1993, the U.S. Ambassador to Barbados suggested that I apply for the position of consular officer, which had just been created following the closure of the consulate in Fort-de-France. I accepted because I wanted to serve my fellow Americans living in the region.
How did the hiring process go?
I submitted the documents required for the application and was invited to an interview with the U.S. Consul General in Barbados. I was also interviewed by the FBI. My main competitor was an American living in Guadeloupe. His application was not selected because the Consul General was not sure he was willing to move to Martinique. That is how I was ultimately appointed to the position of U.S. Consular Officer in Fort-de-France.
What were your working conditions like, and what did your consular work involve?
After my appointment, I was offered the opportunity to move in—with my wife and our two children—to Didier’s beautiful Art Deco villa, which had served as the residence of the U.S. consuls in Martinique since 1949 and was owned by the U.S. federal government. However, we waited a while before moving in, as the property was in a sorry state… It had even been ransacked! But once it was renovated, it became a pleasant place to live. We led a happy life there for eight years. The property was then sold.
«One of my greatest sources of satisfaction was helping a young American woman of Haitian descent, who was in distress in Martinique, find a host family in the United States.»
My jurisdiction included not only Martinique, but also Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy. It therefore covered the French West Indies. My work consisted mainly of assisting U.S. citizens, particularly with civil registration matters. In Martinique alone, there were several hundred U.S. citizens. I also informed the public about the requirements for traveling to the United States. Occasionally, I would receive a visit from the U.S. Consul General in Barbados, who was my superior.
Even though I did not hold any political office, I was regularly invited to official receptions and various events. Otherwise, there were no high-level official U.S. visits to the French West Indies while I was a consular officer, and port calls by the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard were fairly rare… I should note that I wasn’t always the only U.S. official stationed in Martinique at that time: agents from the DEA (the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. federal agency responsible for combating drug trafficking—Ed.) would occasionally come to the island, often without notifying me.
What are your most memorable experiences from your consular assignment?
Among the most memorable moments of my career, I particularly remember September 11, 2001, the day the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York collapsed. I was deeply moved by the solidarity shown in Martinique. The prefect invited me to an official moment of silence. Several academics also sent me messages of sympathy. These gestures made a deep impression on me, as they showed sincere recognition of the tragic events that had shaken my country.
Another memorable experience involved a young American woman of Haitian descent. She had come to Martinique with her mother when she was still a child. Unfortunately, her mother passed away, leaving her alone and destitute. She became pregnant at age 16 and was living on the streets. When she came to my office, she was seven months pregnant. I immediately tried to help her by arranging for her to receive medical care. She disappeared after that first meeting, and it wasn’t until sixteen months later that she came back to see me, with her baby. In the meantime, she had found refuge with an older man who eventually went to prison, leaving her once again with nothing. With the help of the authorities, I arranged for her return to the United States, locating a sister in New Jersey who was willing to take her in. It was a moment of great satisfaction for me to know that I had been able to help change the fate of a vulnerable person.
How have your personal background and your Native American heritage influenced the way you work as a consular officer?
My membership in the Potawatomi tribe and my upbringing in a Native American community taught me the importance of respect, active listening, and a sense of community. These values have guided the way I interact with the people I’ve helped as a consular officer. I have always sought to find solutions tailored to individual needs, taking local realities into account. My experience has also helped me understand cultural diversity and adapt more easily to life in Martinique, despite the differences from the United States.
«Beyond consular formalities, I have witnessed some memorable moments, such as the outpouring of solidarity following September 11, 2001.»
Why did you step down from your consular post in 2015? How did the transition with your successor go?
Having served for more than 21 years, I had nearly reached the maximum number of years of service for consular officers. The time had come for me to step down. So I resigned, which led to a call for applications to find my successor. Among the many candidates, Leah MacGaw, an English teacher already living in Martinique, was selected. She underwent training before taking up her post, and the transition went very smoothly.
What have you been doing since you left the consular office? Do you still maintain ties with the U.S. Foreign Service?
No, I no longer have any ties to the U.S. Foreign Service, although I always enjoy talking about my memories as a consular officer! Since leaving that post, I’ve continued to minister to my church and my congregation, and to lead an active life. I travel to the United States regularly for family reasons, and I also travel a lot because of my pastoral work… But I always come back to my beloved Martinique.
How do you view the evolution of the U.S. presence in Martinique over the years?
The U.S. presence in Martinique has evolved over time. When I took office, there were approximately 900 to 1,000 U.S. citizens living on the island, many of whom held dual citizenship. Today, that number has likely changed, but I do not have recent statistics. The closure of the consulate in 1993 marked a turning point, and consular services are now handled by the U.S. Embassy in Barbados. In any case, I have always observed mutual respect between the people of Martinique and the Americans living here, thanks in particular to the cultural and historical ties between the two territories.
What cultural aspects of Martinique made an impression on you?
Having lived here for over fifty years, I have come to love this island and its culture, but I have also been struck by certain cultural differences.
One of the things that struck me the most was the way strikes are organized. In Martinique, it’s common for roads to be blocked—sometimes for several days—which halts all traffic and paralyzes economic activity. In the United States, blocking roads is not only illegal, but it’s also a practice that the public itself would not tolerate. Americans would intervene directly even before the police got involved.
Other cultural aspects surprised me: the consumption of blood sausage, which is banned in the United States, whereas here it’s a highly prized delicacy. Likewise, I had to get used to seeing horse meat in butcher shops, something that is considered a crime in the United States.
Another difference is everyday politeness. In Martinique, when you walk into a waiting room, it’s customary to greet everyone. In the United States—and especially in New York—this kind of group greeting doesn’t exist, except in certain Latino or Haitian communities.
Finally, restaurant service is another point of contrast. Here, meals tend to last a long time, and it is considered poor form for a server to bring the check before the customer has asked for it. In the United States, on the other hand, the check is usually presented quickly to ensure a fast table turnover.
Far from being barriers, these differences have allowed me to better understand and appreciate Martinican culture while remaining aware of American customs.
What does Martinique mean to you today, after so many years spent on the island?
Martinique has become my home. I’ve built my life and my family here, and I’ve found a sense of balance here that I might not have found elsewhere. I’ve lived here for over fifty years, and even though I sometimes return to the United States, this is where I feel at home. The culture, the landscapes, and the relationships I’ve built over the years—all of this is an integral part of my life. I am grateful to this island, which has welcomed me and allowed me to flourish both personally and professionally. n
Interview conducted by Sébastien Perrot-Minnot, researcher, Honorary Consul Emeritus of Guatemala, and associate member of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), and Philippe Pied, editor-in-chief of Antilla magazine.
