in the caribbean countries have begun playing an increasing role as secondary distribution points for cocaine shipments to europe impunity corruption and weak institutions undermine drug control efforts and the rule of law in the region despite attempts to reform law enforcement and judicial systems drug trafficking activities are often carried out under the protection of local gangs maras operating in border areas especially in el salvador guatemala and honduras there are indications that links have been established between drug cartels and criminal organizations operating in the region drug trafficking has become a major security threat and is contributing to an increase in drug abuse in the subregion