Cuban military issues protest warning

DISSIDENTS in Cuba’s eastern provinces say the country’s military has beefed up its presence on the streets and is telling citizens they have permission to respond with force against anyone who speaks out against the Government.

Meanwhile, Cuban Vice-President Carlos Lage sought to dispel growing speculation about the president’s health, saying he does not have stomach cancer and is recuperating well after surgery that prompted him to step aside temporarily.

“He is coming along well. He does not have stomach cancer,” Mr Lage told reporters.

The comments were the most detailed by a Cuban Government official since Monday, when the president announced he had undergone surgery and temporarily handed over power to his brother Raul.

“Everybody now knows that Fidel is ill, but everyone is waiting,” said Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, 41, an attorney from the province of Ciego de Avila.

Mr Gonzalez said officials met with neighbourhood watch groups on Tuesday to encourage them to look out for anyone who might speak against Mr Castro.

“My concern is for political prisoners in this country, and what could happen to them,” Gonzalez said.

Eliecer Consuegra Rivas, 33, the head of the opposition group Eastern Democratic Alliance attributed the calm on the streets to fear of reprisal. He said he has been repeatedly warned not to speak out informally by neighbours and officially by Government representatives.