
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
'Supergirl' drops 1st teaser trailer: Watch Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El and the return of Krypto the Superdog - 2
Potential Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping could further damage global economy - 3
Europe's powerful Ariane 6 rocket launches Sentinel-1D Earth-observation satellite to orbit (video) - 4
Monetary Wellness: Planning Tips for Independence from the rat race - 5
The Force of Positive Reasoning: Day to day Attestations
Find the Excellence of Old style Expressive dance: Encountering the Effortlessness and Polish of Dance
5 Signs Now is the ideal time to Update Your Android Telephone: When to Take the Action
Director of Swiss hospital describes the rush to treat the injured from Alpine resort bar fire
Activists guilty over Palestine protest breach
Most loved Public Dish: Which One Addresses Its Nation Best?
What to know about MIT professor Nuno Loureiro and the investigation into his shooting
Israel’s mixed messaging on Christmas draws controversy
Vote In favor of Your #1 sort of film
Figure out How to Get the Best Open Record Rewards












