TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Special Service Command Center at Taiwan’s top intelligence agency, the National Security Bureau, for the first time sent a delegation overseas to ally Guatemala, reports said Saturday.

The aim is to operate training programs with the Central American country’s Secretariat for Administrative and Security Affairs, per CNA. The cooperation also focuses on an analysis of the regional security situation to improve the effectiveness of counterterrorism operations through intensive training.

The head of the delegation, Command Center Deputy Chief Lee Ching-jan (李慶然), became the first foreigner to be awarded Guatemala’s Iximche medal. The Taiwanese group also met senior government officials, including the country’s defense minister and presidential secretary general.

The National Security Bureau said the two allies would continue to deepen their cooperation to strengthen national security and social harmony while protecting the shared values of freedom and democracy.