Maine

Amid ongoing crisis back home, some Venezuelans help each other get settled in Maine

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

Amid ongoing crisis back home, some Venezuelans help each other get settled in Maine

Journalist Yesmielen Beatswine fled her home in Venezuela in 2017, after she was targeted with threats because of her reporting. She is among more than 6 million people who have fled Venezuela in recent years amid a grinding political and economic crisis.

After six years living in Ecuador and Peru, Beatswine decided to brave the Darien Gap on foot.

That’s the notoriously dangerous swath of jungle between Colombia and Panama that has become a choke point for people from all over the world trying to reach the US.

A video shot by a friend shows Beatswine, legs covered in mud, among a large crowd inching its way up a steep hill during her five day trek through the jungle.

“It’s just walking and walking,” she said, in Spanish. “You get exhausted. Many people get injured, there are many people who have died there.”

Beatswine made it through, only to learn the Biden Administration had just announced a new policy for Venezuelans hoping to enter the country. They would now need to apply before reaching the border – and have a sponsor already in the U.S.

So she got in touch with Daniel Rios, her former boss at an online news publication, who lives in Cumberland.

Rios said he’d already supported other arrivals from Venezuela, including about half a dozen friends and acquaintances over the last few years.

“I can help a little bit, because they don’t have anything, and they came here with absolutely nothing,” he said.

Rios, who works in digital marketing, said he helps them with some of the basic steps of resettling – trips to the store for clothing and toiletries, and a place to stay.

“And I open my apartment for them. And they stayed here and now they are independent, which is the purpose,” he said.

Ari Snider

Maine Public

Daniel Rios at his Cumberland apartment. Rios says he was forced to flee his native Venezuela about seven years ago after his work as a journalist landed him in hot water with the government there. Since getting established in Maine, he’s hosted several friends and acquaintances also fleeing Venezuela’s economic and political turmoil.

Rios said he can relate to that specific immigration experience.

Until about seven years ago, he was living in Venezuela and running a digital newspaper. But an article he published that looked into the finances of one of the daughters of former president Hugo Chavez landed him in hot water with the government.

“I had a source that they told me, like, ‘Daniel, you need to leave now. If not, you’re gonna be in jail,’” he said.

So he came to Portland, where he lived with his cousin. Rios said she hosted and took care of him while he waited for his work permit, a favor he now wants to pay forward by hosting others.

Crystal Cron, with the advocacy and aid group Presente! Maine, said this sort of informal resettlement support is common in the Latin American immigrant communities her organization works with.

“I mean, I think that that’s the case for almost everyone,” she said.

In part, Cron said these informal networks reflect a lack of coordinated support services to Latino immigrant communities from more established social service organizations.

“I think just in terms of funding, and like political will to care about these communities that are at the fringes. So it’s just very hard, and I think, paralyzing for other groups to know what to do,” Cron said.

And she said the need for support – especially when it comes to finding housing – has become even more acute as the state continues to attract immigrants from many Central and South American countries.

People like Yasmielen Beatswine, who was able to travel to the U.S. last spring – through a two-year legal status known as Humanitarian Parole.

She remembered touching down at the Miami airport, and the moment customs officers let her through.

“The official said, ‘Welcome to the United States’, and I couldn’t believe it,” Beatswine said. “It was really emotional.”

In Maine, Beatswine stayed with Daniel Rios. After her work permit arrived, she landed a job cleaning houses, and Rios helped her find an apartment in Portland.

“I feel really happy and at peace,” she said. “And safe.”

Meanwhile, Rios’ spare bedroom may not stay empty for long. He said he’s in touch with another former employee from Venezuela, who’s in Mexico with his family, waiting for an appointment with U.S. immigration officials.

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Maine

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

Published

9 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.

That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.

So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.

It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.

But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.

Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine

Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.

Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.

Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.

There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.

Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter

While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.

Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.

All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine

Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.

This list was updated in March of 2026

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

Top 15 of The Most Powerful People in Maine

Ever wonder who the most powerful players are in Maine? I’ve got a list!

Gallery Credit: Getty Images

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

21 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.