Updated

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is sending a message to the Cuban people imploring them not to flee the island for Florida because of political uncertainty.

Rice's message will be transmitted over U.S. government radio and television stations that are beamed to Cuba, State Department spokesman Tom Casey said.

That same message has been relayed to the Cuban people for years, particularly since the announcement on Monday that President Fidel Castro had temporarily transferred power to his brother Raul because of an intestinal ailment.

The State Department was planning to release a transcript of Rice's remarks prior to their broadcast over Radio Marti and TV Marti Friday evening.

The stations have limited audiences because of Cuban jamming operations.