
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
Don't plan to cook on Thanksgiving? Here are the restaurants and fast food places that are scheduled to be open - 2
Toyota’s Next Big Sports Car Might Apparently Be a Turbocharged All-Paw Beast - 3
The Delight of Camper Vans: Choosing the One That Meets Your Requirements - 4
Violence 'never part' of break-in plan, court told - 5
Passover under fire: Israelis balance fatigue with cautious hope after month of war
Flu season is ramping up, and some experts are "pretty worried"
SpaceX's 1st 'Version 3' Super Heavy Starship booster buckles under pressure during initial tests
Rediscovering Imagination in Adulthood: Individual Creative Excursions
She loves to give experiences. He goes for sentimental gifts. They ask an expert: What is the perfect holiday present?
The Development of Shipping: Controlling Towards a More Associated Future
Scientists dove hundreds of feet into the ocean and found creatures no human has ever seen. Our trash beat us there
Figure out How to Function Successfully with Your Auto Collision Legal advisor for the Best Result
7 Strange Devices to Make Your Party Stick Out!
WATCH: IDF strikes, dismantles missile launchers in southern Lebanon













