Venezuelan government denies rumours of split The Venezuelan government has denied rumours of a split opening up within the ranks of Hugo Chavez's supporters over who might succeed the ailing president, at a rally on Wednesday celebrating the 24th anniversary of a popular revolt known as the "Caracazo" that killed hundreds in 1989. Thousands of people paraded through the streets of Caracas, before a speech by vice-president Nicolas Maduro in which he stressed he had the support of the armed forces, after rumours of a rift. Hugo Chavez remains in a military hospital in Caracas, after he was flown home from Cuba on Monday, and has not been seen in public since travelling there in December. Images and soundbites.