As we enter 2026, we are adjusting to a world in flux. Last week the United States invaded Caracas and abducted Venezuela’s president Maduro. He has issued threats to intervene in Cuba, Colombia, Greenland and Iran. Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, ICE officers shot a woman in cold blood, claiming it was self-defense despite video footage showing the contrary, then slandered her as a “stone cold liar” and a “domestic terrorist”.
It’s hard to know where to look first, what to believe, who to trust. And it’s frightening, not knowing what the future holds. Fascism is rising in Europe and the USA. The excuses for gun-boat diplomacy become even thinner. The people of Asia, Africa and Latin America continue to be dismissed as expendable. Their struggles are sometimes sidelined as inconvenient, sometimes appropriated by those who don’t have their best interests in mind. It’s more important than ever that we guide each other through these times.
This year, Community Peacemaker Teams will turn 40 years old. Over four decades, we’ve seen the impact of the US war machine. We’ve watched it arm Israel’s attempt to erase the Palestinian people. We have seen it drop bombs over Baghdad. We’ve seen it help to arm drug-trafficking paramilitaries in Colombia. We have watched it stomp over Indigenous communities as it grasps their resources. And we’ve seen the impact of regime change and forever wars on those forced to flee to Europe.
It takes a community to respond. And this year there are many ways that you can take action with us.
You can join our delegation to the US/Mexico Borderlands where, from Tucson, Arizona, you’ll witness first-hand the impact of immigration enforcement. There are only a few days left to apply for your spot.
You can invite a speaker from CPT to your community, congregation or classroom, to hear about our accompaniment, advocacy and solidarity with our partners around the world.
Or you can apply for our newly-launched International Solidarity Volunteering Grant in Palestine. It’s an opportunity for you to engage in solidarity work, contribute to community resilience, and gain hands-on experience in supporting Palestinian communities.
There will be much to do this year. We invite you to walk alongside us, as we accompany our partners under threat, confront injustice, and carry out the patient, persistent, urgent work of peace.
