
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
The Solution to Defeating Tarrying: Systems for Expanded Efficiency - 2
Figure out How to Explore Land Close to 5G Pinnacles - 3
Ukraine confirms defence and energy ministers at second attempt - 4
Malaysia To Revive Search for Missing Flight MH370 - 5
How much would you pay to meet a Real Housewife? At BravoCon, the limit does not exist.
Fake new headlights rule steer Australian drivers astray
Explainer-What has happened to the damaged spacecraft at China's space station?
6 Exemplary Mexican Dishes
Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids
Investigating Design and Individual Style: Track down Your Remarkable Look
German Easter peace marches draw tens of thousands
Employers and staff feel effect of fuel price rise
How effective is the flu shot this year? New report shows promising results
EU delays signing of Mercosur free trade deal













