the carnegie endowment for international peace and a former trade minister for venezuela; and michael shifter, president of the inter-american dialogue, a washington-based think tank. gentlemen, with much fanfare, hugo chavez said this is the beginning of the return. how does this recent information moises on the health of hugo chavez affect his political future? >> his health is still a state secret. we know he's very sick. we don't know exactly where or the extent of his illness. but what that has done is unleash a fierce battle for succession among his supporters. and for the first time in the... for 12, 15 years that he has been in power, millions of venezuelans are beginning to think what would the country look like without having chavez at the center of the national life? >> suarez: michael, does it necessarily strengthen the hand of the opposition? >> well, it depends clearly on how sick chavez actually is. we really don't know that. there hasn't been any information disclosed. what we do know is he still has charisma. he still has his following. the faithful are still behind him. we d