This study examines different forms of alternative governance in the
absence of a strong state presence in the Northern Triangle of Central
America--along part of the Guatemala-Honduras border--a region notorious
for its soaring homicide rates, corruption, violence, and emigration to
the United States. The purpose of the study is to shed light on the
complex and interwoven issues that drive the current crisis of
governance in the region and spill over with increasing frequency into
strategic issues for the United States.