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.