
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
An Extended period of Voyaging Carefully: the World with Reason - 2
What we know about Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis - 3
Taylor Swift just released the 'Elizabeth Taylor' music video — but she's not the star of it - 4
NASA probe captures stunning photos of Earth and moon on the way to infamous asteroid Apophis - 5
This Tiny Bright Yellow Frog Is One of the Most Toxic Animals on Earth
Step by step instructions to Integrate Lab Precious stones into Special Adornments Pieces
Rick Steves' Newest Guidebook Is A Fresh Perspective On Italy Spilling The Country's Secrets
Careful Connections: Building Association and Trust
Where is Santa right now? NORAD tracks his 2025 Christmas Eve flight.
Swap The Amalfi Coast For This Low-Cost Ligurian Seaside Town
US EPA will reassess safety of herbicide paraquat, says its chief
Understanding Preschool Projects: An Extensive Aide
Crime boss Steven Lyons set to be deported from Bali to Spain
Nature carves colossal snowman in Siberia | Space photo of the day for Jan. 2, 2026













