
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
CDC pauses dozens of types of lab testing during evaluation and in wake of downsizing - 2
It's your last chance to subscribe to Paramount+ before they raise their prices: Here's how to lock in current pricing - 3
10 Distinct Kinds of Chinese Neighborhood Specialty Hot Pot - 4
Exploring School Life: Self-awareness and Illustrations - 5
'Stranger Things' series finale trailer shows Hawkins gang gearing up for last battle with Vecna
Drones, physics and rats: Studies show how the people of Rapa Nui made and moved the giant statues – and what caused the island’s deforestation
3 astronauts settle into their new life in orbit | On the International Space Station this week Dec. 1-5, 2025
Two Endangered Bengal Tiger Cubs Die Days Apart at Zoo After Contracting Virus
Turkey’s intel chief lays out country’s vision for Middle East, world
Northern lights chances rise for Christmas as space weather remains unsettled
From Representative to Business visionary: Private issue Victories
Vote In favor of Your Favored Distributed computing Administration
Figure out How to Alter Your Volvo XC40 for Further developed Solace
IDF strikes Tehran command centers, weapon production sites













