
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
The Response to Self-improvement: Embracing a Development Outlook - 2
Vote in favor of your #1 Kind of Cap - 3
Two separate Israeli espionage cases uncover Iran-linked activities in Jerusalem, Ashkelon - 4
Warnings rise for U.S. as severe flu strain causes outbreaks in Canada, U.K. - 5
Monetary Freedom Guide: Plan Your Future
Zelensky warns of imminent massive Russian attack on Ukraine
Manual for 6 Hot Brilliant Beds
A Sweet Choice: Pick Your #1 Cake!
Europe could get 42 more days of summer by the year 2100 due to climate change
5 Advancement Developments in Biotechnology
Starfront Observatories: A haven for distant stargazers
Shrapnel hits across central Israel, injuring several, causing property damage
Full SNAP benefits must be paid ‘promptly,’ USDA tells states as government reopens
The Manual for Well known rough terrain Vehicles













