
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
The Force of Mentorship: Self-improvement through Direction
Indian Health Service is digging out of decades-old construction backlog for medical buildings
Forget 'Outer Banks.' These Gen Z-ers just want to watch 'M*A*S*H*' and 'Gilmore Girls.'
Iran Used $2 Billion in Crypto to Run Its Militant Proxies in 2025
The Significance of a Land Lawyer for Your Business
6 Famous Cell phone Brands All over The Planet
Trump administration plan to reduce access to some student loans angers nurses, health care groups
From Exemplary to Current: Famous Rings Available
Want to read more in 2026? Here's how to revive your love of books













