Jim Hodgson
@jimhodgson.bsky.social
Journalist, retired international development worker (mostly Latin America), human rights defender. Author of a blog, www.unwrappingdevelopment.ca
I split my time between Chiapas (southern Mexico) and British Columbia (western Canada).
I split my time between Chiapas (southern Mexico) and British Columbia (western Canada).
With Trump now imposing a brutal, medieval siege on the island, this humanitarian aid is more critical than ever. But lentils and milk cannot power a country. What Cubans really need is oil.
Suffocating an Island: What the U.S. Blockade Is Doing to Cuba
Medea Benjamin
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:19 PM
With Trump now imposing a brutal, medieval siege on the island, this humanitarian aid is more critical than ever. But lentils and milk cannot power a country. What Cubans really need is oil.
You can accept Trump’s America, the America which governs through sieges, blockades, sanctions, and humiliation. Or you can stand with Nuestra América, the America Martí and Bolívar imagined, and that Bad Bunny echoed when he held up a football reading “Together we are America”.
Bad Bunny; Good Neighbor
Michelle, CODEPINK
open.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:28 PM
You can accept Trump’s America, the America which governs through sieges, blockades, sanctions, and humiliation. Or you can stand with Nuestra América, the America Martí and Bolívar imagined, and that Bad Bunny echoed when he held up a football reading “Together we are America”.
The term of Haiti's transitional presidential council ended Feb. 7. Now a prime minister will rule with accountability only to the foreign governments that back him.
As Haiti’s transitional government comes to an end, the U.S. flexes its muscles
The term of Haiti's transitional presidential council ended Feb. 7. Now a prime minister will rule with accountability only to the foreign governments that back him.
unwrappingdevelopment.ca
February 9, 2026 at 8:28 PM
The term of Haiti's transitional presidential council ended Feb. 7. Now a prime minister will rule with accountability only to the foreign governments that back him.
Don Lemon’s arrest will have a chilling effect on journalism.
Don Lemon’s Arrest Is the Ultimate Suppression of the Fourth Estate
Spencer Macnaughton | Uncloseted Media Weekly Newsletter
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Don Lemon’s arrest will have a chilling effect on journalism.
Monsters in Plain Sight:
"There is a darkness at the heart of Oligarch America, and the darkness isn’t just Donald Trump. The darkness has spread through the highest corridors of power."
"There is a darkness at the heart of Oligarch America, and the darkness isn’t just Donald Trump. The darkness has spread through the highest corridors of power."
Monsters in Plain Sight
So what did we learn from the latest dump of Epstein files?
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Monsters in Plain Sight:
"There is a darkness at the heart of Oligarch America, and the darkness isn’t just Donald Trump. The darkness has spread through the highest corridors of power."
"There is a darkness at the heart of Oligarch America, and the darkness isn’t just Donald Trump. The darkness has spread through the highest corridors of power."
U.S. Envoys Refused to Report "Apocalyptic" Conditions in Gaza.
The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem suppressed a February 2024 report on northern Gaza because it “lacked balance.” These photos from the UN fact finding trip are visual evidence of the conditions.
The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem suppressed a February 2024 report on northern Gaza because it “lacked balance.” These photos from the UN fact finding trip are visual evidence of the conditions.
U.S. Envoys Refused to Report "Apocalyptic" Conditions in Gaza. Exclusive Photos Show the Reality They Suppressed
The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem suppressed a February 2024 report on northern Gaza because it “lacked balance.” These photos from the UN fact finding trip are visual evidence of the conditions.
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:59 PM
U.S. Envoys Refused to Report "Apocalyptic" Conditions in Gaza.
The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem suppressed a February 2024 report on northern Gaza because it “lacked balance.” These photos from the UN fact finding trip are visual evidence of the conditions.
The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem suppressed a February 2024 report on northern Gaza because it “lacked balance.” These photos from the UN fact finding trip are visual evidence of the conditions.
In the face of Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs on any nation that exports oil to Cuba, we all need to stand firm. Here are some ways to do just that -- along with some news updates.
Trump says U.S. is ‘starting to talk with Cuba’ even as he tries to block oil imports
In the face of Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs on any nation that exports oil to Cuba, we all need to stand firm. Here are some ways to do just that -- along with some news updates.
unwrappingdevelopment.ca
February 2, 2026 at 1:14 AM
In the face of Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs on any nation that exports oil to Cuba, we all need to stand firm. Here are some ways to do just that -- along with some news updates.
Dan Rather backs Don Lemon against Trump.
Arrested for Doing His Job
For Trump, the Constitution is just a suggestion
open.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Dan Rather backs Don Lemon against Trump.
Cuba in the Crosshairs: The United States wants to block Mexico from sending oil to Cuba, just as it did weeks ago to Venezuela.
Cuba in the Crosshairs
Also in this edition: Orwell goes to Gaza. In Oaxaca, the archaeological discovery of the decade. Minnesota forces Trump to change his tactics.
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Cuba in the Crosshairs: The United States wants to block Mexico from sending oil to Cuba, just as it did weeks ago to Venezuela.
'Peace president' Trump has bombed 10 countries, now plans $1.5 trillion military budget.
When Trump attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro, he also killed more than 100 people.
In the illegal invasion, the US military bombed civilian sites in addition to military targets.
When Trump attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro, he also killed more than 100 people.
In the illegal invasion, the US military bombed civilian sites in addition to military targets.
'Peace president' Trump has bombed 10 countries, now plans $1.5 trillion military budget
Self-declared “peace president” Donald Trump has bombed 10 countries, more than any other US leader. Now he plans to raise the military budget to $1.5 trillion -- nearly the rest of the world combined
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:01 PM
'Peace president' Trump has bombed 10 countries, now plans $1.5 trillion military budget.
When Trump attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro, he also killed more than 100 people.
In the illegal invasion, the US military bombed civilian sites in addition to military targets.
When Trump attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro, he also killed more than 100 people.
In the illegal invasion, the US military bombed civilian sites in addition to military targets.
Reposted by Jim Hodgson
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Jim Hodgson
Reminder: All it would take to end the murder of American citizens by an untrained government goon squad is 16 Republicans in Congress voting with Dems to defund ICE (or 23 to impeach and remove Trump — 3 in House & 20 in Senate). That’s it. 23 Americans can vote for the public and end all of this.
January 24, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Reminder: All it would take to end the murder of American citizens by an untrained government goon squad is 16 Republicans in Congress voting with Dems to defund ICE (or 23 to impeach and remove Trump — 3 in House & 20 in Senate). That’s it. 23 Americans can vote for the public and end all of this.
CBP Agent Guns Down Minneapolis Nurse: Video Analysis from Drop Site News.
CBP Agent Guns Down Minneapolis Nurse: Video Analysis
Meghnad Bose, Rana Roudi, and Ryan Grim break down video obtained by Drop Site showing CBP’s killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti on Saturday.
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:00 AM
CBP Agent Guns Down Minneapolis Nurse: Video Analysis from Drop Site News.
An update on the Santa Marta 5 in El Salvador. After four postponements in delivering the final written ruling to confirm the acquittal of the defendants, family members of five water defenders have filed an official complaint against the judges.
Family members of the ‘Santa Marta 5’ file legal complaint over delay in final ruling
An update on the #SantaMarta5. After four postponements in delivering the final written ruling to confirm the acquittal of the water defenders, family members have filed an official complaint against the judges who provided only a verbal not-guilty verdict after trial five months ago.
unwrappingdevelopment.ca
January 25, 2026 at 12:55 AM
An update on the Santa Marta 5 in El Salvador. After four postponements in delivering the final written ruling to confirm the acquittal of the defendants, family members of five water defenders have filed an official complaint against the judges.
Before Trump took office, Lesotho was on its way to overcoming HIV. What will happen now?
What US Aid Cuts Did to Lesotho — The Dial
Before Trump took office, Lesotho was on its way to overcoming HIV. What will happen now?
www.thedial.world
January 23, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Before Trump took office, Lesotho was on its way to overcoming HIV. What will happen now?
"The WCC is concerned that this body may serve as a potential bypass or rival to the Security Council, allowing coalitions of states to claim multilateral legitimacy for actions outside – or instead of – Council authorization."
The changing world order: The Board of Peace, and the challenge to multilateralism
www.oikoumene.org
January 23, 2026 at 4:24 PM
"The WCC is concerned that this body may serve as a potential bypass or rival to the Security Council, allowing coalitions of states to claim multilateral legitimacy for actions outside – or instead of – Council authorization."
As Mark Carney urges value-based leadership, critics point to trade rules championed by Canada that undermine those ideals.
Canada’s Mining Firms Are Big Beneficiaries of the Global Order Its Prime Minister Just Criticized - Inside Climate News
When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a pointed rebuke this week of Donald Trump and the global economic system Washington helped shape, he urged other nations to help build a new world o...
insideclimatenews.org
January 23, 2026 at 4:10 PM
As Mark Carney urges value-based leadership, critics point to trade rules championed by Canada that undermine those ideals.
Prime Minister Mark Carney pronounced the death of the old order. Drawing on all the alternatives proposed from the Global South and beyond, let's make a new one -- with room for everyone to thrive and grow.
The old order is dead. Let’s make a new, more just order.
Prime Minister Mark Carney pronounced the death of the old order. Drawing on all the alternatives proposed from the Global South and from Indigenous peoples, let's make a new one -- with room for everyone to thrive and grow.
unwrappingdevelopment.ca
January 22, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Prime Minister Mark Carney pronounced the death of the old order. Drawing on all the alternatives proposed from the Global South and beyond, let's make a new one -- with room for everyone to thrive and grow.
Reposted by Jim Hodgson
NEW: The IPS Global Economy Program joins 16 allies to repudiate unprecedented U.S. interference in Honduras, Venezuela, and across the hemisphere in the interests of U.S. imperialism and big business.
We will work with the Honduran people to monitor and condemn this corporate assault. STATEMENT:
We will work with the Honduran people to monitor and condemn this corporate assault. STATEMENT:
First Honduras, then Venezuela: Organizations Denounce U.S. Interference to Please Corporate Cronies - Institute for Policy Studies
"The undersigned organizations categorically repudiate U.S. interference in the Honduran elections and affirm the inalienable right of the Honduran people to their autonomy and self-determination."
ips-dc.org
January 20, 2026 at 3:16 PM
NEW: The IPS Global Economy Program joins 16 allies to repudiate unprecedented U.S. interference in Honduras, Venezuela, and across the hemisphere in the interests of U.S. imperialism and big business.
We will work with the Honduran people to monitor and condemn this corporate assault. STATEMENT:
We will work with the Honduran people to monitor and condemn this corporate assault. STATEMENT:
Reposted by Jim Hodgson
Trump's vicious 'Operation Metro Surge' is fomenting massive organized popular resistance:
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
ICE vs. Everyone | Erin West
What we’re doing now is this: The trainings have evolved into street medic workshops on protecting yourself from chemical weapons and lessons on digital security; there’s a meet-up to sew reinforced u...
www.nplusonemag.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Trump's vicious 'Operation Metro Surge' is fomenting massive organized popular resistance:
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
Reposted by Jim Hodgson
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya has been betrayed and deserted by NYT. We must bring his plight to light.
lithub.com/how-the-new-...
lithub.com/how-the-new-...
How the New York Times Failed Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya
On October 29, 2023, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a pediatrician and neonatologist based at Kamal Adwan hospital in the northern Gaza Strip city of Beit Lahiya, published an op-ed in the New York Times. …
lithub.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya has been betrayed and deserted by NYT. We must bring his plight to light.
lithub.com/how-the-new-...
lithub.com/how-the-new-...
After the death this week of Bruce McLeod, I write to share some of what I learned from him, especially from the period when I knew him best: in the early 90s when he was president of the Canadian Council of Churches. His words then feel prophetic today.
Bruce McLeod: an inspiring ecumenical educator and communicator
Sharing some teachings from Bruce McLeod after his death this week. I knew him best when he was president of the Canadian Council of Churches in the early 90s. His words then feel prophetic today.
unwrappingdevelopment.ca
January 14, 2026 at 10:16 PM
After the death this week of Bruce McLeod, I write to share some of what I learned from him, especially from the period when I knew him best: in the early 90s when he was president of the Canadian Council of Churches. His words then feel prophetic today.
The World Council of Churches is active in the struggle for peace with justice in Colombia.
Peace process in Colombia: what is the WCC’s current role?
Recent US attacks in Venezuela have impacted not only regional geopolitics and relations but also community level processes, and every day this still-unfolding scenario brings something new for Colomb...
www.oikoumene.org
January 12, 2026 at 6:37 PM
The World Council of Churches is active in the struggle for peace with justice in Colombia.
Please send a letter and sign a petition (both options here) to demand that Canada take urgent action with international partners to oppose U.S. threats to rights, sovereignty and peace in Venezuela and the Americas.
Canada must be #ElbowsUp in solidarity with Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Greenland…
Please send a letter and sign a petition (both options here) to demand that Canada take urgent action with international partners to oppose U.S. threats to rights, sovereignty and peace in Venezuela and the Americas.
unwrappingdevelopment.ca
January 10, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Please send a letter and sign a petition (both options here) to demand that Canada take urgent action with international partners to oppose U.S. threats to rights, sovereignty and peace in Venezuela and the Americas.
Jonathan Cook: "The issue isn’t whether Maduro was a good or bad leader of Venezuela – the matter the western establishment media wants us concentrating on. It is how do we put the US back in the box before it is too late for humanity."
Four observations on the US kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro
Difficult as it is for westerners to hear, we don’t need a stronger West, we need a weaker one. Harder still, Trump is teaching us that the very concept of ‘the West’ is an illusion.
www.jonathan-cook.net
January 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Jonathan Cook: "The issue isn’t whether Maduro was a good or bad leader of Venezuela – the matter the western establishment media wants us concentrating on. It is how do we put the US back in the box before it is too late for humanity."