
Oil tycoon Wilmer Ruperti showed up for a meeting with Venezuela’s intelligence agency last Thursday. A week later, he’s still in custody, one of his lawyers told Semafor.
“We’ve reached out to everybody trying to get proof of life or some support,” Winston & Strawn’s Cari Stinebower said, adding that officials still haven’t conveyed “how he’s being treated or why he’s being detained.”
Ruperti, who arrived at the meeting with a security detail, is a Venezuelan Italian shipping magnate who trades in petroleum coke. His detainment followed interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s decision to elevate the agency’s longtime chief to defense minister.
“The message is that Venezuela is open for business — but detaining businessmen for days on end without any due process or access to counsel is more old regime,” Stinebower said. “This is not law and order and not conducive of a welcoming business environment.”
The State Department and Energy Department did not respond to requests for comment.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
RFK Jr. says he's following 'gold standard' science. Here's what to know - 2
Australia Cracks Down on Gambling Ads as Prediction Markets Like Polymarket Remain Blocked - 3
The most effective method to Promoter for Cellular breakdown in the lungs Mindfulness in Your People group - 4
Chemical leak in Oklahoma forces evacuations and leaves many ill - 5
Artemis II shares new lunar images while more than halfway to the moon
5 Most Expected Film Delivery
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa
Why Cannes Is the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Destination in the South of France’s Off-Season
Why this Tennessee special election has the 'whole world' watching
6 Robot Vacuum Cleaners for Easy Home Cleaning
Building Tough Connections: Individual Bits of knowledge on Association
6 Solid Moving Administrations for a Calm Movement
Wedding trip Objections in the US
Best Augmented Simulation Ride: Which One Feels Generally Genuine?











