
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
Instructions to Decide the Best SUV Size for Seniors - 2
One-third of asylum applications by Iranians approved in Germany - 3
The Secret Side of Italy: 12 Underrated Destinations Locals Don’t Want Tourists to Find - 4
When the moon hits your eye from your Orion ship up high, that's a 'mare' - 5
'Home Alone' actor Joe Pesci said 'no' to this stunt until he saw a 9-year-old girl do it, says director Chris Columbus
7 Espresso Machines for Home Baristas
Deadly attack on kindergarten reported in Sudan
This professional Santa's dream of spreading holiday cheer fuels stroke recovery
Lift Your Style: Famous Hairdos for Ladies
Colleges say foreign students feel 'unwelcome' in the U.S. amid big drop in international enrollment, new survey finds
‘I love this work, but it’s killing me’: The unique toll of being a spiritual leader today
'Senseless violence' erupts at Christmas tree lighting; 4 injured
Kona SUV: The Courageous Minimized That is Catching Hearts Around the world
Agios Pharma shares jump as US FDA expands approval for its blood disorder drug












