Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04GUATEMALA3244
2004-12-21 23:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
GUATEMALA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 003244
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN KHLS KPAO GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT
REF: STATE 245841
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 003244
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN KHLS KPAO GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT
REF: STATE 245841
1. The following is Embassy Guatemala's submission for the
2004 Annual Terrorism Report:
Begin text:
There were no significant acts of international terrorism in
Guatemala in 2004. The Government of Guatemala has supported
the war on terrorism in international fora such as the UN and
OAS and cooperates fully with the United States. Guatemala
signed the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism but
has not yet ratified it. In 2004, Guatemala redoubled
efforts to cooperate with Mexico on border security through
the bilateral High-Level Group for Frontier Security
(GANSEF). The Guatemalan Government also created and filled
a high-level counterterrorism czar position to coordinate
interagency efforts on counterterrorism issues.
Severe resource constraints, corruption, and an ineffective
criminal justice system are some of the impediments facing
Guatemala in its struggle against transnational crime threats
such as drug trafficking and alien smuggling. Guatemala's
northern border with Mexico lacks effective coverage by
police or military personnel, and controls at its southern
and eastern borders with El Salvador have been relaxed as
part of the Central American integration process. Guatemala
lacks the technology and manpower to effectively monitor
transit of possible international terrorists. Nevertheless,
Guatemalan authorities provided strong cooperation to U.S.
requests for assistance in the investigation of possible
terrorism leads.
Guatemalan authorities have responded favorably to requests
for enhanced security of official U.S. property and personnel
on an as-needed basis. Guatemalan law enforcement
authorities do not have wiretapping authority, but the
government is studying the issue to determine if
constitutional stipulations on privacy apply to this area.
Law enforcement authorities can initiate physical
surveillance of terrorist suspects, but the police have
limited capabilities. Military intelligence personnel were
involved in counterterrorism investigations in the past, but
the military downsizing has reduced military intelligence
capabilities, and the reform of military doctrine has
eliminated any internal security roles for the Guatemalan
military. Terrorism suspects -- like detainees suspected of
any other type of crime -- can only be held for six hours
before being charged.
Guatemala was removed from the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) list of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories
(NCCT) in July 2004 after the FATF determined that Guatemala
had made sufficient progress in eliminating deficiencies in
Guatemala's anti-money laundering regime. These measures
have included the creation of a Financial Intelligence Unit,
passing comprehensive banking legislation, and bringing the
offshore banking sector under the effective supervision of
the Financial Intelligence Unit.
Guatemala has taken a number of initiatives with regard to
terrorist financing. Article 391 of the Guatemalan Penal
Code sanctions all preparatory acts leading up to a crime,
and terrorist financing can be considered an offense under
this Article. Technically, both judges and prosecutors could
issue a freeze order on terrorist assets, but no test case
has validated these procedures. There is no known credible
evidence of terrorist financing in Guatemala, and the
Guatemalan Government along with the financial sector, has
been very cooperative in looking for such funds. Specific
legislation to address terrorist financing is currently being
considered by the Guatemalan Congress.
Guatemalan civil aviation and port authorities have been very
responsive to U.S. requests for assistance in investigating
potential terrorism leads. The Guatemalan Government is
currently working to enhance overall maritime and aviation
security and counterterrorism capabilities in order to remain
in compliance with rising international standards. However,
organized crime and smuggling rings continue to operate in
Guatemala's principal ports and airports, and, together with
corruption, pose an ongoing security threat.
Guatemala is a party to 10 of the 12 United Nations
conventions and protocols related to terrorism and to one OAS
counterterrorism convention.
End text.
HAMILTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN KHLS KPAO GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT
REF: STATE 245841
1. The following is Embassy Guatemala's submission for the
2004 Annual Terrorism Report:
Begin text:
There were no significant acts of international terrorism in
Guatemala in 2004. The Government of Guatemala has supported
the war on terrorism in international fora such as the UN and
OAS and cooperates fully with the United States. Guatemala
signed the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism but
has not yet ratified it. In 2004, Guatemala redoubled
efforts to cooperate with Mexico on border security through
the bilateral High-Level Group for Frontier Security
(GANSEF). The Guatemalan Government also created and filled
a high-level counterterrorism czar position to coordinate
interagency efforts on counterterrorism issues.
Severe resource constraints, corruption, and an ineffective
criminal justice system are some of the impediments facing
Guatemala in its struggle against transnational crime threats
such as drug trafficking and alien smuggling. Guatemala's
northern border with Mexico lacks effective coverage by
police or military personnel, and controls at its southern
and eastern borders with El Salvador have been relaxed as
part of the Central American integration process. Guatemala
lacks the technology and manpower to effectively monitor
transit of possible international terrorists. Nevertheless,
Guatemalan authorities provided strong cooperation to U.S.
requests for assistance in the investigation of possible
terrorism leads.
Guatemalan authorities have responded favorably to requests
for enhanced security of official U.S. property and personnel
on an as-needed basis. Guatemalan law enforcement
authorities do not have wiretapping authority, but the
government is studying the issue to determine if
constitutional stipulations on privacy apply to this area.
Law enforcement authorities can initiate physical
surveillance of terrorist suspects, but the police have
limited capabilities. Military intelligence personnel were
involved in counterterrorism investigations in the past, but
the military downsizing has reduced military intelligence
capabilities, and the reform of military doctrine has
eliminated any internal security roles for the Guatemalan
military. Terrorism suspects -- like detainees suspected of
any other type of crime -- can only be held for six hours
before being charged.
Guatemala was removed from the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) list of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories
(NCCT) in July 2004 after the FATF determined that Guatemala
had made sufficient progress in eliminating deficiencies in
Guatemala's anti-money laundering regime. These measures
have included the creation of a Financial Intelligence Unit,
passing comprehensive banking legislation, and bringing the
offshore banking sector under the effective supervision of
the Financial Intelligence Unit.
Guatemala has taken a number of initiatives with regard to
terrorist financing. Article 391 of the Guatemalan Penal
Code sanctions all preparatory acts leading up to a crime,
and terrorist financing can be considered an offense under
this Article. Technically, both judges and prosecutors could
issue a freeze order on terrorist assets, but no test case
has validated these procedures. There is no known credible
evidence of terrorist financing in Guatemala, and the
Guatemalan Government along with the financial sector, has
been very cooperative in looking for such funds. Specific
legislation to address terrorist financing is currently being
considered by the Guatemalan Congress.
Guatemalan civil aviation and port authorities have been very
responsive to U.S. requests for assistance in investigating
potential terrorism leads. The Guatemalan Government is
currently working to enhance overall maritime and aviation
security and counterterrorism capabilities in order to remain
in compliance with rising international standards. However,
organized crime and smuggling rings continue to operate in
Guatemala's principal ports and airports, and, together with
corruption, pose an ongoing security threat.
Guatemala is a party to 10 of the 12 United Nations
conventions and protocols related to terrorism and to one OAS
counterterrorism convention.
End text.
HAMILTON