
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
Israel strikes south Lebanon after first direct talks in decades - 2
Very good quality Greens All over The Planet - 3
Meet the rescue team behind the astronauts as Artemis II's launch approaches - 4
Atorvastatin recall may affect hundreds of thousands of patients – and reflects FDA’s troubles inspecting medicines manufactured overseas - 5
Why the Houthis waited until now to strike
Europe: 4 Urban communities for a Paramount Social Experience
The Excursion to Monetary Proficiency: Individual budget Triumphs
Former defense minister Gallant vacated home over security threat under Shin Bet direction
‘Ukrainian housewives’ and Skyranger delays – German defense poster child Rheinmetall is in hot water
From Modesty to Administration: Self-improvement in Interactive abilities
NASA releases stunning first images of Earth taken by the Artemis II astronauts
Vote in favor of Your Number one BWM Vehicles
NASA says Maven spacecraft that was orbiting Mars has gone silent
NASA will bring space station crew home early after medical issue













