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AROUCA/LOPINOT MP Marvin Gonzales has criticised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge claiming they were silent despite public fears on October 31 over a US military strike in the immediate region. He was speaking at a briefing at the Opposition Leader's office in Port of Spain on November 4.

On the day, Persad-Bissessar had advised the public to stay calm, saying there was nothing to fear. But Gonzales thought that response was inadequate.

He related the pandemonium of October 31: a frightened population, traffic gridlock, panic-buying in groceries and workers sent home early by employers. He said this all came amid international media reports of an imminent US strike on Venezuela plus reports that local soldiers and sailors had been ordered back to base and police officers placed on alert.