In more densely populated regions along the borders there are fences to prevent illegal immigration.
Areas close to Guatemalan borders experience high rates of crime.
[2] For nearly 60 years following Guatemalan independence the Guatemalan-Mexican border was the subject of a territorial dispute between the two countries.
The Guatemala-Mexico border is also an important way-station on the route for migrants fleeing Central America and heading towards the United States.
During the civil war in El Salvador, the Guatemalan government was primarily concerned with the risk of conflict and instability spilling over the border between the two countries.