The Intelligence Police Directorate of Venezuela arrested oiltycoon Wilmer Ruperti, after requesting a meeting with him, according to his legal representatives today. Specifically, law firm Winston & Strawn told Reuters that Ruperti was asked to attend a meeting with police officers around 1:00 PM on Thursday (20/03). His bodyguards were arrested and subsequently released, but Ruperti himself remained in custody as of today.
Read: The US and Venezuela agreed to restore diplomatic relations
Oil tycoon arrested in Venezuela: “We worry about his health,” his company says
“We worry about his health,” emphasized Ruperti’s company, as he was arrested without any clear reason given, since authorities provided no explanation. Additionally, the country’s Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Who is Wilmer Ruperti
Ruperti, a shipowner and oil tycoon with close ties to Venezuela’s socialist governments, became known after helping transport oil to his country during the 2002-3 strike at state oil company PDVSA, thereby cementing his close ties with then-President Hugo Chávez.
In recent years, his company, Geneva-based Maroil Trading, became a key exporter of petroleum coke from Venezuela, based on a contract signed with PDVSA, although this partnership later became strained due to disagreements over payments and contract terms. In 2023, Reuters reported that PDVSA had suspended deliveries to Maroil.
🚨 | Reportes de que el régimen de Delcy Rodríguez detuvo ayer al bolichico Wilmer Ruperti.
Ruperti es uno de los empresarios chavistas más poderosos, también en el sector petrolero. pic.twitter.com/IxqKf8c7lA
— Orlando Avendaño (@OrlvndoA) March 20, 2026
