Todo va bien

Four days after news that Fidel Castro was seriously ill and handing over power "temporarily" to his younger brother, Raul, the Cuban media - which is controlled by the regime - says everything is normal on the island. Todo va bien.

And to prove it, the main news outlets have been running articles and broadcasting items showing Cubans in workplaces, military units, neighbourhoods, everywhere in fact ... all pledging loyalty to Fidel Castro, the Communist Party and "the Revolution".

Foreign news agencies, however, report that members of the military and reservists belonging to the Milicias de Tropas Territoriales have been told to report to their respective units "in preparation". The Spanish service of the BBC has the report here.

As well, it has now been confirmed that an estimated 150 foreign journalists seeking permission to report from the island have been told they are not welcomed. There is no news here, is the official explanation from Havana.

Meanwhile, that other shining light of democracy, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il has sent Castro a get-well message. "I sincerely hope that you will recover (soon) and continue to carry out the Cuban Revolution and significant duties bestowed to you by the people," Kim said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

So, you see, Todo va bien - all is well.