BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's government says President Cristina Fernandez has met with Cuba's ailing former leader Fidel Castro, who had been rumoured to be seriously ill.

A spokesman for Argentina's Foreign Ministry says the 30-minute meeting took place today during Fernandez's visit to Havana.

The official says the talks touched on the `the new reality in the United States' with the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Rumours that Castro is ill - or worse - have been fed by the fact he has not published any newspaper columns since Dec. 15.

They were also fuelled by comments from Castro's ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that he may not be seen in public again.