Tourists visiting a well-known Mediterranean vacation destination have received a caution from an unidentified armed group. Corsica, recognized for its picturesque beaches, historic towns, and delectable cuisine, has been flagged as a potential risk for Brits considering a move by a separatist organization.

The Corsican National Liberation Front-Union of Combatants (FLNC-UC) recently circulated a video featuring approximately a dozen militants in masks and armed with guns. The group conveyed a warning to individuals contemplating the purchase of a second home in Corsica, emphasizing that safety cannot be guaranteed due to their push for independence from France. They labeled the influx of people to the region as “unchecked settlement-driven colonization.”

In the video, an individual presumed to be the group’s leader asserted, “Until our national rights are acknowledged and respected, our message to them is simple: remain in your own homes.” In response to the video release, French anti-terror prosecutors have initiated a preliminary inquiry focusing on potential conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and the possession of arms for such purposes.

Despite the separatist group’s dismissal of an autonomy agreement, the bill recognizing Corsica as a unique historical, linguistic, and cultural entity has progressed through the lower legislative chamber and is set for Senate review in October. The FLNC-UC has criticized the legislation, claiming it undermines the identity of the Corsican people and fails to address their longstanding demands.

The group highlighted a significant influx of nearly 5,000 individuals annually from mainland France, arriving on the island for employment or property investments, particularly in second homes, which they deemed as “invasive.” The FLNC originated in 1976, marked by a series of attacks during the infamous “blue night,” and has since splintered into various factions, leading to internal conflicts.

In 2023, the organization claimed responsibility for a string of bombings targeted at holiday residences and a defunct tax office in Ajaccio, although no casualties were reported. The escalating tensions and confrontations underscore the deep-seated grievances fueling the separatist movement in Corsica.