Latest news with #Escalante
CNN
3 days ago
- CNN
‘Every turn reveals something new': Hiking Southern Utah's stunning slot canyons
At first glance, the desert landscape of Southern Utah seems like a sweeping, sun-baked canvas — wide open and endless. But tucked deep within its sandstone folds are narrow slivers of magic: slot canyons, sculpted over millennia by wind and rushing water. They draw hikers from around the world, eager to wander their labyrinthine paths and stand in awe beneath towering walls sometimes just feet apart. But as alluring as they are, these canyons demand more than admiration. They require preparation and a healthy respect for nature's power. 'Slot canyons are fun and easy … until they're not,' says Jim Clery, owner and guide at Utah Canyon Outdoors in Escalante, Utah. 'You have to know when to say no.' Prev Next Slot canyon hiking blends beauty, problem-solving and risk. 'It's not just walking,' says Lura Snow, deputy operations manager for Wildland Trekking in Utah. 'There's often scrambling, navigating tight squeezes, standing water — and an otherworldly quality of light that feels like you've stepped into a secret place.' Before any of that begins, there's often a stretch of open desert hiking to reach the canyon itself. Exposed to sun and heat, these approaches can be deceivingly difficult. 'You're not just hopping out of the car and into the canyon,' Clery notes. 'Some routes require miles of walking through dry washes or sandy trails before you even get to the slot. It's part of the journey.' For many, slot canyons evoke a sense of awe and curiosity. 'There's a real sense of discovery,' says Clery. 'Every turn reveals something new.' About an hour's drive east of Kanab, Utah, Buckskin Gulch — believed by many to be the longest and deepest slot canyon in the US, and possibly the world — draws hikers with its immense scale and towering canyon walls. Stretching for approximately 16 miles through a twisting corridor of sandstone, its walls can reach heights of 300 feet while narrowing to shoulder-width in places. There are a few ways to hike Buckskin Gulch, depending on how far you want to go. The most popular starting point is the Wire Pass Trailhead, which offers the quickest access to the narrows. From here, you have two main options. For those up for an overnightYou can hike all the way through Buckskin Gulch to the White House Trailhead — a roughly 21-mile point-to-point trek. This route starts at Wire Pass Trailhead and travels the length of Buckskin Gulch, approximately 16 miles, before reaching its confluence with Paria Canyon. While camping is not allowed inside Buckskin Gulch, you can set up camp once you reach Paria Canyon, where dispersed backcountry camping is allowed with a valid overnight permit. Because the trail begins and ends at two different locations, arrange a shuttle in advance to return to the starting point. For a shorter, more accessible optionMany hikers choose an out-and-back route starting at the Wire Pass Trailhead. The trail follows a wash for about 1.7 miles before entering Buckskin Gulch, where towering walls and deepening narrows stretch for miles. Just inside Buckskin, you'll find petroglyphs etched into the rock — look low on the right as you enter. Most hikers continue a short way into Buckskin before turning around, making this route a rewarding and flexible way to experience the canyon's scale and beauty without committing to the full 21-mile trek. advises Buckskin Gulch hikers to check weather conditions and river flow before setting out. Leave your itinerary with a reliable contact who will know who to call if your group doesn't return on time. If Buckskin feels intimidating, there are other places to begin. The Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Gulch loop near Escalante, Utah, in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most popular beginner-friendly options. This three-mile route winds through sculpted sandstone, with playful climbs, squeezes and narrow passages — but no technical gear required. Peek-A-Boo greets you with smooth, swirling walls and natural steps, while Spooky Gulch challenges you with tight corridors where backpacks — and sometimes bodies — need to shimmy sideways to get through. The trickiest obstacle is a 12-foot climb to enter Peek-A-Boo, but solid handholds and good footing make it manageable. Because it's a loop, you can explore both canyons without backtracking. For those who want to ease into slot canyon hiking — or simply leave the logistics to someone else — guided trips offer an excellent alternative. Companies like Utah Canyon Outdoors and Wildland Trekking provide safety, gear, route knowledge and local insights, making it easier to focus on the experience without the stress of navigating on your own. Slot canyons are carved by water — and can be flooded by it in an instant. 'People hear 'flash flood' and think giant walls of water,' says Snow. 'But even a relatively small amount can be deadly.' The danger? Many hikers only check the weather at the trailhead. But flash floods can be triggered by storms miles away. Buckskin Gulch, for example, drains from the Paunsaugunt Plateau near Bryce Canyon over 100 miles away, meaning a storm there can send water cascading through the canyon long after skies clear near the entrance. 'Check the weather for the entire drainage,' says Snow. 'Not just where you're standing.' Flash floods have caused fatalities in recent years, including two hikers who died in Buckskin Gulch in 2023. Even experienced hikers can be caught off guard by storms miles away. 'You might have blue skies above you,' says Snow, 'but if it's raining 50 miles away, that water can still come barreling through.' Slot canyons may feel still and silent, but they're full of surprises. Their shady, sheltered walls offer refuge for desert wildlife — from rattlesnakes and insects to the occasional tarantula. 'Slot canyons are shady places, so wildlife takes refuge there,' Snow explains. She once joked about tarantulas 'raining from the sky,' but it's usually just a spider dropping from a ledge — startling, not dangerous. (Tarantulas aren't considered dangerous to humans; their bite is mild and rarely causes more than minor irritation.) While rare, these encounters are reminders to stay alert and tread thoughtfully. Then there's the terrain: narrow passages, slick rock and puddles that can be deeper than expected, sometimes even requiring a swim. Water hazards and the occasional patch of quicksand are also possible, especially after storms. Trekking poles help with balance and testing depth, and sturdy shoes — and a sense of humor — go a long way. 'Some people turn around at the first puddle,' Snow says. 'But if this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance? Get in the puddle.' Clery adds that most injuries come from people hopping off short ledges. 'Even a two-foot jump can lead to a twisted ankle. If you're wedged in a narrow canyon with a busted leg, getting out becomes a whole new problem.' Spring and late fall are generally the safest times to visit. Summer monsoon season (late July through September) can bring flash floods, especially in places like Buckskin. Even in dry months, storms can build quickly. 'Start early,' says Clery. 'In summer, we're on the trail by 6:30 a.m.. That gives us time to get in and out before the heat and storms hit.' And if the weather — or your gut — says something feels off? 'Be flexible,' he says. 'Have a Plan B. Nature gets the final word.' A little homework goes a long way. Try to narrow down what kind of experience you're after — short and scenic, longer and challenging, guided or solo. Check with local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices, visitor centers, outdoor shops or guide services for advice and current conditions. And grab a paper map — cell service can be unreliable, and batteries die. Permits are required for both day hikes and overnight trips in the Buckskin and Paria Canyon area, and both are available through A $6 day-use permit covers hikes like the popular Wire Pass route, while overnight trips into Paria Canyon require a separate permit, limited to 20 people per day. Spots can fill fast, so it's smart to plan ahead. Be sure to pack plenty of water — at least one liter per hour in summer — plus salty snacks, sun protection, a basic first-aid kit and blister care. 'Desert hiking is slow, and you need to prepare for extra time,' Clery says. 'We measure canyons in hours, not miles.' The rise in slot canyon popularity has brought an uptick in damage, from graffiti on petroglyphs to improperly buried waste. 'People have carved their names over 8,000-year-old rock art,' Snow says. 'It's ignorance, not malice, but it's heartbreaking.' Snow urges hikers to carry wag bags for human waste, use Kula cloths (reusable antimicrobial pee cloths), and pack out everything — especially toilet paper and your own poop. 'Nothing breaks down here,' she says. 'It's the desert. It'll be here forever.' Your decisions can have unintended consequences long after you leave. Even camping comes with a lasting impact. A single off-road vehicle can create a new track others will follow, slowly turning wild land into a road. Clery's advice? Stick to established sites. Stay on durable surfaces. And if you really love a place, pick up someone else's trash on your way out. Because in the end, exploring slot canyons isn't just about seeing something beautiful — it's about being part of something bigger. It's about traveling with intention, moving with care, and respecting the delicate power of these hidden places. But wherever you go, says Clery, 'Don't expect to just show up and be spoon-fed a view. Slot canyons are immersive. They're humbling. They make you pay attention — and in return, they give you something unforgettable.'
CNN
3 days ago
- CNN
‘Every turn reveals something new': Hiking Southern Utah's stunning slot canyons
At first glance, the desert landscape of Southern Utah seems like a sweeping, sun-baked canvas — wide open and endless. But tucked deep within its sandstone folds are narrow slivers of magic: slot canyons, sculpted over millennia by wind and rushing water. They draw hikers from around the world, eager to wander their labyrinthine paths and stand in awe beneath towering walls sometimes just feet apart. But as alluring as they are, these canyons demand more than admiration. They require preparation and a healthy respect for nature's power. 'Slot canyons are fun and easy … until they're not,' says Jim Clery, owner and guide at Utah Canyon Outdoors in Escalante, Utah. 'You have to know when to say no.' Prev Next Slot canyon hiking blends beauty, problem-solving and risk. 'It's not just walking,' says Lura Snow, deputy operations manager for Wildland Trekking in Utah. 'There's often scrambling, navigating tight squeezes, standing water — and an otherworldly quality of light that feels like you've stepped into a secret place.' Before any of that begins, there's often a stretch of open desert hiking to reach the canyon itself. Exposed to sun and heat, these approaches can be deceivingly difficult. 'You're not just hopping out of the car and into the canyon,' Clery notes. 'Some routes require miles of walking through dry washes or sandy trails before you even get to the slot. It's part of the journey.' For many, slot canyons evoke a sense of awe and curiosity. 'There's a real sense of discovery,' says Clery. 'Every turn reveals something new.' About an hour's drive east of Kanab, Utah, Buckskin Gulch — believed by many to be the longest and deepest slot canyon in the US, and possibly the world — draws hikers with its immense scale and towering canyon walls. Stretching for approximately 16 miles through a twisting corridor of sandstone, its walls can reach heights of 300 feet while narrowing to shoulder-width in places. There are a few ways to hike Buckskin Gulch, depending on how far you want to go. The most popular starting point is the Wire Pass Trailhead, which offers the quickest access to the narrows. From here, you have two main options. For those up for an overnightYou can hike all the way through Buckskin Gulch to the White House Trailhead — a roughly 21-mile point-to-point trek. This route starts at Wire Pass Trailhead and travels the length of Buckskin Gulch, approximately 16 miles, before reaching its confluence with Paria Canyon. While camping is not allowed inside Buckskin Gulch, you can set up camp once you reach Paria Canyon, where dispersed backcountry camping is allowed with a valid overnight permit. Because the trail begins and ends at two different locations, arrange a shuttle in advance to return to the starting point. For a shorter, more accessible optionMany hikers choose an out-and-back route starting at the Wire Pass Trailhead. The trail follows a wash for about 1.7 miles before entering Buckskin Gulch, where towering walls and deepening narrows stretch for miles. Just inside Buckskin, you'll find petroglyphs etched into the rock — look low on the right as you enter. Most hikers continue a short way into Buckskin before turning around, making this route a rewarding and flexible way to experience the canyon's scale and beauty without committing to the full 21-mile trek. advises Buckskin Gulch hikers to check weather conditions and river flow before setting out. Leave your itinerary with a reliable contact who will know who to call if your group doesn't return on time. If Buckskin feels intimidating, there are other places to begin. The Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Gulch loop near Escalante, Utah, in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most popular beginner-friendly options. This three-mile route winds through sculpted sandstone, with playful climbs, squeezes and narrow passages — but no technical gear required. Peek-A-Boo greets you with smooth, swirling walls and natural steps, while Spooky Gulch challenges you with tight corridors where backpacks — and sometimes bodies — need to shimmy sideways to get through. The trickiest obstacle is a 12-foot climb to enter Peek-A-Boo, but solid handholds and good footing make it manageable. Because it's a loop, you can explore both canyons without backtracking. For those who want to ease into slot canyon hiking — or simply leave the logistics to someone else — guided trips offer an excellent alternative. Companies like Utah Canyon Outdoors and Wildland Trekking provide safety, gear, route knowledge and local insights, making it easier to focus on the experience without the stress of navigating on your own. Slot canyons are carved by water — and can be flooded by it in an instant. 'People hear 'flash flood' and think giant walls of water,' says Snow. 'But even a relatively small amount can be deadly.' The danger? Many hikers only check the weather at the trailhead. But flash floods can be triggered by storms miles away. Buckskin Gulch, for example, drains from the Paunsaugunt Plateau near Bryce Canyon over 100 miles away, meaning a storm there can send water cascading through the canyon long after skies clear near the entrance. 'Check the weather for the entire drainage,' says Snow. 'Not just where you're standing.' Flash floods have caused fatalities in recent years, including two hikers who died in Buckskin Gulch in 2023. Even experienced hikers can be caught off guard by storms miles away. 'You might have blue skies above you,' says Snow, 'but if it's raining 50 miles away, that water can still come barreling through.' Slot canyons may feel still and silent, but they're full of surprises. Their shady, sheltered walls offer refuge for desert wildlife — from rattlesnakes and insects to the occasional tarantula. 'Slot canyons are shady places, so wildlife takes refuge there,' Snow explains. She once joked about tarantulas 'raining from the sky,' but it's usually just a spider dropping from a ledge — startling, not dangerous. (Tarantulas aren't considered dangerous to humans; their bite is mild and rarely causes more than minor irritation.) While rare, these encounters are reminders to stay alert and tread thoughtfully. Then there's the terrain: narrow passages, slick rock and puddles that can be deeper than expected, sometimes even requiring a swim. Water hazards and the occasional patch of quicksand are also possible, especially after storms. Trekking poles help with balance and testing depth, and sturdy shoes — and a sense of humor — go a long way. 'Some people turn around at the first puddle,' Snow says. 'But if this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance? Get in the puddle.' Clery adds that most injuries come from people hopping off short ledges. 'Even a two-foot jump can lead to a twisted ankle. If you're wedged in a narrow canyon with a busted leg, getting out becomes a whole new problem.' Spring and late fall are generally the safest times to visit. Summer monsoon season (late July through September) can bring flash floods, especially in places like Buckskin. Even in dry months, storms can build quickly. 'Start early,' says Clery. 'In summer, we're on the trail by 6:30 a.m.. That gives us time to get in and out before the heat and storms hit.' And if the weather — or your gut — says something feels off? 'Be flexible,' he says. 'Have a Plan B. Nature gets the final word.' A little homework goes a long way. Try to narrow down what kind of experience you're after — short and scenic, longer and challenging, guided or solo. Check with local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices, visitor centers, outdoor shops or guide services for advice and current conditions. And grab a paper map — cell service can be unreliable, and batteries die. Permits are required for both day hikes and overnight trips in the Buckskin and Paria Canyon area, and both are available through A $6 day-use permit covers hikes like the popular Wire Pass route, while overnight trips into Paria Canyon require a separate permit, limited to 20 people per day. Spots can fill fast, so it's smart to plan ahead. Be sure to pack plenty of water — at least one liter per hour in summer — plus salty snacks, sun protection, a basic first-aid kit and blister care. 'Desert hiking is slow, and you need to prepare for extra time,' Clery says. 'We measure canyons in hours, not miles.' The rise in slot canyon popularity has brought an uptick in damage, from graffiti on petroglyphs to improperly buried waste. 'People have carved their names over 8,000-year-old rock art,' Snow says. 'It's ignorance, not malice, but it's heartbreaking.' Snow urges hikers to carry wag bags for human waste, use Kula cloths (reusable antimicrobial pee cloths), and pack out everything — especially toilet paper and your own poop. 'Nothing breaks down here,' she says. 'It's the desert. It'll be here forever.' Your decisions can have unintended consequences long after you leave. Even camping comes with a lasting impact. A single off-road vehicle can create a new track others will follow, slowly turning wild land into a road. Clery's advice? Stick to established sites. Stay on durable surfaces. And if you really love a place, pick up someone else's trash on your way out. Because in the end, exploring slot canyons isn't just about seeing something beautiful — it's about being part of something bigger. It's about traveling with intention, moving with care, and respecting the delicate power of these hidden places. But wherever you go, says Clery, 'Don't expect to just show up and be spoon-fed a view. Slot canyons are immersive. They're humbling. They make you pay attention — and in return, they give you something unforgettable.'
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Superannuation wealth tax ‘a threat' to funding of new unicorns as Escalante moves to mop up VGW
The Federal Government's proposed wealth tax on superannuation has been described as a threat to the emergence of unicorns such as Laurence Escalante's WA-based gaming group Virtual Gaming Worlds. With many investors funding plays such as VGW from their self-managed super funds, the earnings hit on super balances over $3 million is seen potentially depriving start-ups of a key source of development capital. Mr Escalante used millions of dollars raised from hundreds of small and high-net worth backers to build VGW into one of Australia's fastest-growing and most profitable private companies. On Monday, the former financial planner announced a $960m bid to take full ownership of VGW by buying out the 30 per cent of the public, unlisted company he does not own at $5.05 a share from some 700 minority shareholders. One of his early supporters, an investor who is sitting on tens of millions of dollars of profit on VGW shares bought for less than 10 cents apiece, said the Government was 'off the mark' with its proposed move on wealthy superannuants. He and other big minority investors in VGW are mainly invested in the group via their self-managed super funds. 'This Government wants to tax quite heavily the people in the super funds, and that's where these small companies get started,' said the investor, who asked not to be identified. 'There won't be as much money available for start-ups.' Mr Escalante's proposed buyout, launched through his Lance East family office, comes as VGW confronts a major threat to its lucrative operating model from a US regulatory crackdown that is reining in its runaway profits. The group has raked in billions of dollars by using loopholes in US laws banning internet gambling to deliver online 'social' casinos and poker machine games such as Chumba Casino, LuckyLand slots and Global Poker. Under its sweepstakes model, customers buy virtual gold coins that allow them to play VGW's games but have no outside value. However, buyers of most gold coin packages also get bonus 'sweeps coins', which as well as being used to play the games are redeemable for cash in most of the US and Canada. US States are now moving against the group, claiming the games are illegal because they are generating cash winnings for players. Since December, VGW has quit Nevada and Delaware, and flagged its withdrawal from New York, in the face of the pushback. The regulatory crackdown is already hurting earnings, with VGW warning of a 15 per cent hit to its second-half profit. Mr Escalante's opulent lifestyle — he has translated his wealth into a private jet, super cars, luxury boats and swanky properties — and showy and sometimes angry social media posts had already raised doubts about whether he could win over the big institutional shareholders needed to support a stock market listing in the US or Australia. But it is the threat to what has been an enormously successful operating model that has most likely finished off lingering hopes of a float for investors who have been limited to selling stock via an illiquid over-the-counter trading platform. 'It's the model ... the likelihood of regulatory action, which are we starting to see,' a prominent Perth businessman said. While Mr Escalante's 'behaviour and lifestyle doesn't help', despite global stock markets being awash with such 'characters', a listing would have more chance with a 'safer and less vulnerable business model', the businessman said. There is no doubt that Mr Escalante, who founded VGW as a 28-year-old in 2010, has delivered in spades for his investors. The company paid its first dividend — a modest $2.8 million — in early 2019 off the back of a $19.8m profit and $179m of revenue for the December half-year in 2018. COVID-19 lit a fire under the business as uptake of its games in the US soared during lockdowns. Over the past four years, VGW has returned more than $1.3b to its shareholders, with Mr Escalante pocketing the lion's share due to his majority ownership. He will receive a further $200m from the $286m of interim and special dividends set to be paid for the 2025 financial year. VGW's two independent directors have determined that the offer price, which will be reduced by the dividends, recognises the company's value 'after taking into account its medium and longer-term potential and the ongoing risks relating to VGW's business and operating environment'. Mr Escalante's offer was endorsed after an earlier pitch of $3.50 of $4 a share was rejected as too low. However, it still may not be enough to get the buyout across the line, with some long-standing shareholders still reckoning VGW is worth more and disputing the inclusion of the proposed dividends in the offer price. 'A few of the shareholders who have got pretty good holdings feel as if it's an unreasonable offer, they feel as if it should be more,' the VGW shareholder said. The buyout documents are expected to be sent to shareholders by early July, with a vote to be called in August. Mr Escalante was not available for comment this week. Disclosing the buyout offer on Monday, he said it represented 'an efficient opportunity to allow those shareholders looking to monetise their investment for cash to do so'.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Venezuelans in U.S. face heartbreak after travel ban shuts door on family reunification
For Venezuelans in the United States, a new White House proclamation has reopened old wounds and deepened fears that exile in the U.S., once a certain path to safety, will now mean permanent separation from their loved ones. On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced sweeping travel restrictions on nationals from over a dozen countries—including Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti. The order bars entry for most applicants seeking tourist, student and business visas, further narrowing the few remaining legal pathways for families torn apart by dictatorship, displacement and economic collapse. Among the thousands left in anguish is Sasha Escalante, a 44-year-old Venezuelan radio producer living in Miami. In the past year, Escalante has fought to stay alive while battling Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare and severe skin condition that left her hospitalized with rashes resembling second- and third-degree burns covering 75% of her body. Today, she is still recovering—and fighting for the chance to reunite with her elderly parents, whom she hasn't seen in years. Escalante had applied for a humanitarian visa to bring her parents to the U.S. while she was in intensive care fighting for her life. Her parents' previous tourist visas had expired in October 2022. Despite the urgency of her condition, her request was denied. Her parents later secured a tourist visa appointment for this coming August, this time in Madrid, due to the absence of a U.S. embassy in Venezuela. That appointment had offered a faint for reunion. Now, with the travel ban in place, even that hope has all but disappeared. 'Being away from family as a refugee is already painful,' Escalante said. 'But it's even harder when you've come close to death. I don't know what else I can do.' Her father, a retired engineer, was trained in manufacturing and technology in the 1980s in Japan. Over the years, he returned to the U.S. numerous times to update his skills. But under the new travel policy, his decades of professional and personal ties may count for nothing. A former television journalist who fled Venezuela in 2012 after the Hugo Chávez shut down her station, Escalante now works as a content producer at Miami's Actualidad Radio, a Spanish-language station. In addition to her serious health struggles, she is also a mother to a son on the autism spectrum. 'This country gave me refuge,' she said. 'But it is devastating. That appointment was my hope' A community under siege Escalante's story echoes the growing fear and frustration spreading to the nearly one million Venezuelans living in the United States. The new proclamation suspends most immigrant and non-immigrant visas for Venezuelans—affecting tourism (B-1/B-2), students (F and M), and exchange visitors (J), with limited exceptions. While green-card holders and immediate family members of U.S. citizens remain exempt from the travel ban, the practical effect is clear: For countless Venezuelan Americans, family reunification is once again out of reach. Alberto Argüelles, a Venezuelan attorney and longtime asylum seeker in Doral, said he is depressed. Like many, he fled persecution at home only to feel persecuted again in exile. 'We Venezuelans are trapped between two oppressors—one who hunts us at home, and another who now targets us in the U.S.,' he said. Though the Trump administration first included Venezuela in a travel ban in 2017, that version targeted only government officials and their families. The current policy is far broader Beginning June 9, it affects the vast majority of Venezuelan visa seekers, citing concerns over identity verification and Venezuela's refusal to take back deportees from the U.S. Yet data reviewed by the Miami Herald shows that the U.S. has already carried out over 21 deportation flights, returning more than 3,400 Venezuelans since Trump resumed deportations—including 150 people deported just one day after the proclamation was signed. At the same time, approximately 1,500 Venezuelans have voluntarily returned from Mexico through Maduro's Vuelta a la Patria (Return to the Homeland) program. In total, more than 5,000 Venezuelans have returned to their country since Trump took office. A pattern of exclusion The proclamation comes as the U.S. government moves to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, a policy that had shielded more than 600,000 migrants from deportation. More than 350,000 have already lost that protection, with the remainder at risk by September, pending a federal court ruling. Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, condemned the policy as racially motivated and strategically cruel. 'They didn't even try to hide the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia when drawing up this list,' she said. 'The countries affected are all places devastated by war, dictatorship, famine and death.' Even before the new restrictions, Venezuelans were facing high rejection rates for U.S. visas. In 2024, 37.4% of all tourist visa applications were denied, according to the State Department. A Miami Herald analysis shows the average denial rate under President Biden was 33%, compared to 60% during Trump's first term. Despite the high denial rate, demand remains strong. In fiscal year 2025 through April, over 35,500 B1/B2 visas and 205 student visas (F) were issued to Venezuelan nationals. The administration claims the ban is justified due to a 10% overstay rate for Venezuelans—higher than average but not unique. Still, for Venezuelans like Escalante, the numbers pale in comparison to the human cost. Back home, Venezuela's main opposition coalition, Plataforma Unitaria Democrática, has also condemned the new Trump policy. In a statement Thursday, the group called it a measure that 'further aggravates the already complex immigration situation faced by Venezuelans. 'Penalizing individuals based solely on their nationality only increases the suffering of innocent Venezuelans,' the statement read. 'We deserve the support of the free world—not more punishment.' The travel ban was announced shortly after the expiration of Chevron's oil license in Venezuela—a move widely interpreted as a political blow to Maduro's regime. The timing of the ban may also be aimed at deterring a potential new wave of Venezuelan migration, as the U.S. cracks down on immigration. More than 8 million Venezuelans have fled their country in recent years, and nearly 1 million now reside in the United States. The consequences of the ban go beyond the U.S. border. In some Latin American countries, a valid U.S. visa is often a gateway to mobility. Countries like Panama now require visas for Venezuelans—but waive them for travelers holding valid U.S. visas. The new ban will likely sever those options as well. And with no U.S. embassy in Caracas and direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela suspended since 2019, even navigating the application process has long been a logistical and financial burden. Now, the door has been all but slammed shut.
West Australian
6 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Laurence Escalante's bid company for VGW on the move to tax haven of Guernsey
Laurence Escalante's bid to take full control of the Virtual Gaming Worlds online casino empire also involves shifting the company behind the bid to the tax haven of Guernsey. The colourful billionaire on Monday launched an offer to buy out minority investors holding the 30 per cent of VGW that he doesn't already own. The offer was presented via Ocean Bidco Limited — an unlisted special purpose company established by Mr Escalante's family office, Lance East Office. It has now been revealed that company was registered in Guernsey, according to The Australian . Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents show Ocean Bidco was registered with the corporate regulator on April 30 in Subiaco as a foreign company. The billionaire has already won support for his sweetened $950 million proposal. The tentative tick comes four months after company directors rejected a buy-out offer from Mr Escalante pitched at between $3.30 and $4 for reasons including that it undervalued the North America-focused business. VGW on Monday said that negotiations between Mr Escalante had improved conditions, including giving the flexibility for existing VGW shareholders to retain their investment in the business. The company is facing an increasingly hardline approach by some US state agencies in the fragmented market. VGW is closing its New York sweepstakes operations and has recently been hit with shutdown orders in Delaware and Maryland. According to The Australian, shifting Ocean Bidco to Guernsey would end requirements for VGW to file annual financial reports with ASIC and it would not be governed by the Corporations Act. VGW last year booked a 30 per cent hike in net profit of $492 million from revenue of $6.1 billion. It paid $185m of corporate tax, according to The Australian. Independent directors Mike Symons and Mats Johnson believed the scheme of arrangement was in the best interests of VGW shareholders Mr Symons said the independent directors believed the offer reflected the medium term value of the business after considering its potential and the ongoing risks it faced. Softer trading conditions in recent months had affected financial expectations for 2025. 'VGW operates in an environment with rapidly evolving US regulatory developments and faces increasing industry competition,' he said. Mr Escalante said VGW was 'a fantastic business' and he thanked all shareholders for their support in helping to build the company. 'As the regulatory, competitive and economic landscape evolves, we face many new opportunities but also challenges and uncertainties,' he said. 'For some time now, many VGW shareholders have asked how and when a liquidity event may arise. The scheme represents an efficient opportunity to allow those shareholders looking to monetise their investment for cash to do so. 'For those VGW shareholders who decide to elect for cash consideration, I thank you for your support to this point.'
