Yours truly does not follow on twitter gossip columns (for example, the only @boccaranda I ever read are those forwarded to me). In fact, anyone that has a tendency to tweet too often is promptly "unfollowed", unless it is news source. This being said, with all my precautions, I still could not escape the wave of rumors about Chavez health that swept this Carnaval holiday. A word to the wise.
First, chavismo has learned to use shamelessly Chavez cancer for propaganda purpose. These days, it is not even enough to figure out the source of the rumor to assess its veracity. And use it they do since minister r-Izzara-ita goes on record himself accusing those rumors of being a "dirty war" against his boss, as faithfully reported even by the BBC in its Spanish site. Or if you prefer hints in English you can go to the New York Post.
Second, it really does not matter: if Chavez wants us to believe he is cured, let's take him at his words and campaign against his poor administrative record (poor is charitable in this context). Remember, the more we speak about Chavez pain in the ass, the less we speak about inflation, crime, scarcity, unemployment, etc, etc...
Third, nothing serious will be going on until Chavez changes his vice-president. Only when that happens, and depending who is put in place and in which circumstances, rumors will become a necessity. As long as Jaua is vice-president Chavez is not croaking, nor in immediate risk of doing so.
Last, but not least , in case some chavista still haunts these pages. The author wishes Chavez a long life so he will have enough years to spend in jail not only to pay for his crimes but also to see that Venezuela can be a much better place.