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Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge yesterday urged citizens to avoid “panic mode” over the presence of United States marines and technical personnel in Tobago, insisting that Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from US operations in the region even as Washington pursues its own strategic objectives.

He was speaking during a news conference hosted by Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Farley Augustine at his office in Scarborough on the sister island.

Also in attendance were Attorney General John Jeremie and Chief of Defence Staff Don Polo.