But the Cubans in Spain were more cautious than their counterparts in Florida, who took to the streets of Miami in their thousands, convinced that the long-serving dictator was at death's door.

Castro's move was "a historic chance to peacefully bring an end to an era marked by fear and repression," the Spanish association Cuba in Transition said.

The group said it had written to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero calling on him to "send a message to the members of the Cuba Communist Party and especially to Cuban democrats that Spain will support a peaceful change on the island."

The association Cuba, Democracy Now called for "serenity, caution and a maximum degree of communication between inhabitants on the island and exiles, while we wait for events to develop".

"We do not rule out repressive acts by the temporary government presided by Raul Castro to contain any demonstration by the people in the streets of Cuba," the group added.

Spain's Socialist government in a statement wished Castro "as swift a recovery as possible," the Europa Press news agency quoted Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos as saying in Brussels.

Castro, Latin America's Communist strongman, ceded power late Monday to his brother Raul on a temporary basis for the first time in 47 years, after undergoing what he called delicate intestinal surgery.

The development brought crowds on to the streets of several Miami neighborhoods, banging pots and pans, honking car horns, waving Cuban flags and chanting "Viva Cuba Libre" -- "Long Live Free Cuba."

They appeared unfazed by the fact that Castro made it clear in a statement read on Cuban television that he expected to be back on the job within weeks.

"It should be over by now. He transferred power, that's it, it's over," said Mercedes Armas-Bach, a Cuban-American judge.

Castro, who will turn 80 on August 13, said that he underwent surgery after suffering from "an accident" and had temporarily handed power to Raul, 75, the minister of defense and his nominated successor.

Ninoska Perez, who heads the Cuban Liberty Council in Miami, said it was quite possible Castro was in critical condition, or even dead.

Perez said Castro's death "would be the best thing that could happen in Cuba," and would trigger a massive celebration in Miami, whose largely anti-Castro Cuban exile community is estimated at more than 650,000.

In Washington, the US administration reacted cautiously to the news from Cuba.

"We are monitoring the situation. We don't want to speculate on his health. We will continue to work for the day of Cuba's freedom," said Peter Watkins, a White House spokesman.

The US Coast Guard said it had not altered its security status since Castro's announcement, as analysts warned of a new mass migration of Cubans to the nearby United States.

Supportive messages meanwhile came in from countries with political sympathies for Castro.

Chinese President and ruling Communist Party chairman Hu Jintao, whose country has long been a supporter of Cuba and Castro, sent a message wishing him a quick recovery.

Two more of Castro's closest supporters, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales, said they hoped the Cuban leader would quickly recover.

"You can imagine how you feel when you wake up in the morning and receive such news from such a friend," said Chavez, speaking during a state visit to communist Vietnam.

"From Hanoi, we would like to send to Cuban President Fidel Castro the best sentiments and wishes of the Venezuelan people and also from us here, and also from the people of Vietnam. Viva Fidel Castro!"

In a message to Castro quoted by the official ABI news agency, Morales expressed confidence that he would overcome his ordeal to continue the "anti-imperialist struggle."

The Italian Communist Party, which forms part of centre-left Prime Minister Romano Prodi's governing coalition, issued what it called a "fraternal" get-well message for Castro.

Latin America "needs Fidel Castro to resume as quickly as possible his role of leader in the country and the driving force for the political process on the continent," the party said in a statement released in Rome.

Fausto Bertinotti, head of the more moderate Refounded Communist Party and speaker of the lower hosue of parliement, also wished Castro well.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News