
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
Ukrainian man arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia - 2
Investigating Free Cell Phones: What You Really want to Be aware - 3
Figure out What Shift Differentials Mean for Your General Attendant Compensation - 4
SpaceX's 1st 'Version 3' Super Heavy Starship booster buckles under pressure during initial tests - 5
'Supergirl' drops 1st teaser trailer: Watch Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El and the return of Krypto the Superdog
5 things for parents to know about changes to kids vaccine schedule
Why the chemtrail conspiracy theory lingers and grows – and why Tucker Carlson is talking about it
Select Your Definitive Pizza Decision
Ancient meditation practices find new life in modern religious communities across America
REWE launches seventh Pick&Go test store in Hanover
Land Rover Just Unveiled Its Dakar Rally Defender
Iran war fuels fears of new inflation wave among German consumers
Medical team successfully delivers baby and removes massive tumor
Experience Is standing by: 10 Pleasant Setting up camp Areas to












