All is calm on the streets of La Havana since Castro announced he was temporarily handing over power. Speaking to the camera, most people remained faithful to their leader: One woman said she was convinced it was Castro who wrote the letter announcing he was temporarily stepping aside. “Look how fast he got over the problems with his leg,” said another woman. “It shouldn’t take too long for him to get rid of a bleeding ulcer.”

There are conflicting reports as to whether extra police was deployed on the streets of the capital following the official announcement Monday night. “Raul is the man who’s been standing next to him all his life, so it’s only right that he should be the one to oversee all the good things Fidel has done and will continue to do, because we hope he will recover,” said another man.

Another woman said the Americans will never take over. “We will be here and we will carry on, the way Castro has always wanted,” she added. Just a few days ago, Castro joked he wouldn’t stay in power until he was a hundred years old. Now the world is waiting to see whether he will make it to his 80th birthday next week.

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