
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
'I was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer on holiday' - 2
Chemical leak in Oklahoma forces evacuations and leaves many ill - 3
In wrangling dark matter, some scientists find inspiration in the Torah, Krishna and Christ - 4
IAF intercepts over 90% of drones launched by Iran, Hezbollah during Operation Roaring Lion - 5
Experiences in Natural life Protection: Individual Progressives' Excursions
Israel says it will keep control over part of southern Lebanon after war with Hezbollah ends
19 Peculiar Films You Shouldn't Watch With Your Mum
CDC vaccine panel delays vote to stop recommending hepatitis B shot at birth
How to avoid or deal with an outrageous medical bill
US EPA will reassess safety of herbicide paraquat, says its chief
21 Things You Ought to Never Tell Your Childless Companion
Top 10 Smash hit Computer games of the Year
Brazil's agricultural research agency gets cannabis research greenlight
The most effective method to Succeed in Your Profession with a Web based Advertising Degree













