Venezuelan sources refute reports Hugo Chavez died yesterday. (Photo by Venezuelan government)
Rumours Swirl As Chavez Stays Out Of Sight -- The Age
CARACAS: With President Hugo Chavez still out of sight, the Venezuelan government has denied any rift with the army as it led a rally in Caracas to mark the anniversary of a popular but deadly revolt.
Thousands of people clad in red rallied in the capital on Wednesday, many wearing shirts bearing the image of the leftist leader, and others holding signs reading "I am Chavez" as they marked the massacre of hundreds of people in 1989.
The rally came as Twitter lit up with speculation - none of it confirmed - that Mr Chavez had died. Thursday's rally was the first in Caracas since Mr Chavez, 58, checked into a military hospital in the capital nine days ago after spending two months in Cuba, where he underwent his fourth round of cancer surgery in 18 months.
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Update #1: Don't Believe the Report About Hugo Chávez's Death Just Yet -- The Atlantic
Update #2: Venezuelan sources: Hugo Chavez is alive -- NBC
My Comment: If he was dead ... there is no way that the Venezuelan government would be able to keep such a story under wraps .... maybe 24 hours ..... but that is about it.