Wilmer Ruperti
Wilmer Ruperti | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 7, 1959 Venezuela |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Maritime shipping, oil export trade, ownership of Canal i television station |
Wilmer Ruperti (born December 7, 1959) is a prominent Venezuelan entrepreneur in the maritime shipping sector who, since 2003, has captured a large portion of Venezuela’s oil export trade to Latin American markets, establishing himself as one of the nation’s wealthiest figures.
In 2004, Lloyd's List International highlighted Ruperti’s evolution from a tanker captain to an influential figure within Venezuela’s multibillion-dollar petroleum industry, remarking that “everything Wilmer Ruperti touches appears to turn to gold”.
Career
Ruperti launched his professional journey in 1987 serving as a tanker master for Maraven, S.A., a subsidiary connected to PDVSA, Venezuela’s state oil enterprise. After completing shipping studies in Plymouth, England, he returned to Caracas and founded a modest shipbroking company.
PDVSA strike
His pivotal moment arrived during the 2002–2003 general strike in Venezuela when he managed to supply fuel to Venezuelan ports by utilizing Russian-leased tankers amidst widespread PDVSA workforce strikes that severely hampered oil production and shipments. This achievement solidified his relationship with both PDVSA and the government. Despite resistance from striking workers, President Chávez honored him with the Star of Carabobo for exceptional service.
Shipping company
Ruperti is the proprietor of Suramericana de Transportes de Petróleo, which operates a fleet of oil tankers and vessels, alongside managing Global Ship Management. He is instrumental in executing Chávez’s initiative to transport subsidized oil to Argentina and several Caribbean nations. In 2006, he intended to secure $500 million through a maritime investment fund aimed at constructing eight additional oil tankers.
Recent business expansion
Expanding his portfolio beyond shipping, Ruperti acquired ownership of Canal i (formerly Puma TV), a private Venezuelan television station.
Personal life
Of Italian heritage, Ruperti openly supports Chávez, describing him as “the only person who has identified himself with the poor.” He leads a conspicuous lifestyle supported by personal security details, travels in an armored BMW and owns a private jet. Additionally, he has sponsored events such as Luciano Pavarotti’s 2005 charity concert and contributes to youth golf initiatives in Caracas.
Ruperti purchased two gold-plated pistols from the Napoleonic era that once belonged to independence hero Simón Bolívar for $1.6 million. Although he initially denied intentions to donate them, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez later confirmed receiving the pistols in 2011 as a gift.
In October 2016, reports indicated that Ruperti financed the legal defense for two nephews of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores who were charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine into the United States. Their legal representatives acknowledged Ruperti as the sponsor of their defense.