THE prime minister has welcomed with open arms, the US Marine Corps' 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) which arrives today, November 16, for a week-long joint training exercise with the Defence Force (TTDF).

In a post on her official account on the X platform on Sunday, Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the collaboration reflects the "deep and enduring" security partnership between TT and the United States and credited the ongoing controversial US military action with already benefiting this country.

"The United States’ presence in the region has already contributed to a significant reduction in the trafficking of guns, drugs, and humans into our country. As a small nation facing transnational criminal networks, TT benefits immensely from this partnership with the world’s leading superpower.