Excerpts of column "Runrunes" (Rumors) of Tuesday, October 16

High

CHANGES. Nicolás Maduro, the new Vice-President, will be President Hugo Chávez's heir apparent for some international analysts. For others, this attests to the fact that, in designating a successor for now, the caudillo is thinking about his disease. On two prior occasions in a term of one and a half year, Maduro took the incumbency for granted. In July, he sold himself as Vice-President. In learning about it, Chávez left him in the lurch. It was insisted on his designation this year. Sure as he was, for being the patient's shadow since last June and not leaving him but in half dozen world events, he was tempted to send his security staff to install high-tech equipment in the Vice-President's Office without being appointed. He would patiently take a step backwards, certain that his time of last Wednesday would come. He is taking his staff of the Foreign Office across the street at Miraflores presidential palace. Incidentally, the designation of questioned red radical Juan Carlos Loyo (as lands minister) is because he is the right-hand man of outgoing Vice-President Elías Jaua and his power quota in the Cabinet. This is the case for General Néstor Reverol, announced by Minister of the Interior and Justice Tareck El-Aissami as his successor.

Intermediate

CUBA.  Perhaps I jumped the gun when I said that in 72-hour term all of us would know the truth about the health condition of Fidel Castro. Nevertheless, I would like to reiterate that sooner than later we will learn about it. It is untruth that Fidel is doing as usual, like exercising or writing and dictating. The last of his Reflections was released in Granma, the organ of the Cuban Communist Party, on June 19. The notices that Chávez claims to be sent by Fidel were drafted here in Caracas. When was the last time Chávez asked "How are you, Fidel?" As soon as the High Command Reserves are deployed in major Cuban cities, we will know the truth. Juanita Castro was mad when we reported that Débora Castro Espín, her niece, Raúl's daughter, invited her to visit Havana when Fidel passes away. She is keenly aware of it; hence her reaction by denying it in Miami and scolding her niece for the leakage. Sorry, but it was news...

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Translated by Conchita Delgado