
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
Picking Your Next SUV: 4 Brands Offering Execution, Solace, and Wellbeing - 2
A rare whale is having an encouraging season for births. Scientists warn it might still go extinct - 3
Computerized Moderation: Tracking down Equilibrium in the Advanced Age - 4
How federal officials talk about health is shifting in troubling ways – and that change makes me worried for my autistic child - 5
How to watch the ‘Wicked: One Wonderful Night’ special — now streaming
Evaluated Smartwatches for Wellness Devotees
Bother Control Administrations for 2024: Decide for Your Home
KJ Apa stars as Jimmy Stewart in new biopic: See his transformation
Holiday destinations for Creature Sweethearts
Can ICE agents detain U.S. citizens? What powers do they have to arrest people? Your most common questions answered.
Herzog, German Chancellor Merz discuss final Gaza hostage, Arrow 3 exchange in Jerusalem
How does Spotify Wrapped calculate your listening age? What your number says about you.
Bahrain cracks down on dissent as war grinds on
Hamas set to elect new terror leader with Hayya, Mashaal in pole position











