Marvin Gonzales, the Opposition Chief Whip and MP for Arouca/Lopinot, has publicly criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Defense Minister Wayne Sturge for their perceived inaction during a period of heightened public anxiety on October 31. The concerns arose following reports of a potential US military strike in the region, which sparked widespread panic, traffic disruptions, and panic-buying among citizens. Gonzales addressed these issues during a briefing at the Opposition Leader’s office in Port of Spain on November 4. He accused the Prime Minister of providing an inadequate response by merely urging the public to remain calm without addressing the underlying fears. Gonzales highlighted the chaos of that day, including the early dismissal of workers and the heightened alert status of local military and police forces. He also revealed that the opposition had attempted to seek clarification from Sturge through parliamentary procedures, but the Defense Minister declined to respond, citing national interest. Gonzales further questioned the Prime Minister’s leadership, noting her apparent lack of awareness regarding the heightened state of security forces upon her arrival at the Red House. He called for the resignation of both Persad-Bissessar and Sturge, accusing them of failing to manage the crisis effectively. Gonzales also scrutinized the Prime Minister’s recent meeting with newly appointed defense officials, questioning why she did not seek updates on the security situation during these interactions. He urged the Prime Minister to clarify her ability to lead the National Security Council and demanded transparency regarding the status of Southcom’s operations in the Caribbean. Additionally, Gonzales raised concerns about the non-functioning of the state of emergency tribunal and the ongoing hunger strike by detainees at the Eastern Correctional Facility, attributing these issues to the alleged negligence of Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander.