In recent years, the verdant ranch country along the Mexico-Guatemala border has become a hotspot for transnational criminal organizations.

FORBES: Political Risk Analysis: Guatemala and Mexico's OTHER Border

The activities of significant transnational criminal organizations have reached such scope and gravity that they threaten the stability of international political and economic systems.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

On July 24, 2011, by Executive Order 13581, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the activities of significant transnational criminal organizations.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House