U.S. assistance supported Guatemala's anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, and border security efforts and Guatemala cooperated with the United States in investigating potential terrorism leads. The U.S. Department of Defense continued to train the Guatemalan military's counterterrorist unit. In addition to threats posed by transnational narcotics organizations, Guatemala was a major alien smuggling route from Central and South America, which made it a potential transit point for terrorists seeking to gain access to the United States. Corruption, an ineffective criminal justice system, and a lack of resources have limited Guatemala's ability to combat transnational crime, especially in remote parts of the country. Guatemala's borders are porous and lack adequate coverage by police or military personnel.

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