
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.
2026 Golden Globes: How to watch, start time, TV channel, full nominee list and more
The most effective method to Pick the Best Material Organization: Insider Tips
One month of war on Iran cost Arab countries up to $194bn: UNDP
US students studying housing, health outcomes and sustainability win 2026 Rhodes scholarships
Ancient mass grave discovered in water cistern during Tel Azekah excavations
Presenting Nintendo's New Pastel Bliss Con Tones for Switch Gamers: 3 Smart Choices
Farewell, comet 3I/ATLAS! Interstellar visitor heads for the outer solar system after its closest approach to Earth
Trump declares Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 federal holidays: What does that mean?
We may be witnessing the messy death of a star in real time












