23. The State maintains that the Ministry of Health did adopt specific support measures to aid this vulnerable group, such as the expediting of procedures affording access to an antiretroviral treatment; promotion of fund-raising through external cooperation agencies; and a lowering of the cost of drugs and viral load and CD4 testing. The Presidential Commission for the Coordination of Executive Human Rights Policy informed that total present coverage would provide comprehensive care for 111 adults and 110 children financed by the Public Ministry’s own funds, while a further 940 patients would receive antiretroviral treatment through the support of Doctors Without Borders. The Guatemalan Institute for Social Security would offer antiretroviral therapy to more than 1100 adults and 300 children, and another 1,200 patients would be reached through cooperation and coordination efforts led by Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, and other donor agencies. 24. The State alleges that from the date of communication with the Commission, urgent measures were attempted to implement Decree 272000, which includes the General Law on the Fight Against HIV/AIDS and the Promotion, Protection, and Defense of Human Rights; strengthening the budget of the National AIDS Program; coverage of antiretroviral medication; and carrying out medical tests to determine progression of the disease. 25. The State expresses its concern that some AIDS patients are unable to access treatment and reiterates that the Government provides free treatment within the limits of its ability to do so. In addition, the government supports civil society initiatives oriented towards establishing a budget to ensure implementation of State policies related to the law in force. 26. In sum, the State asks that due note be taken of its efforts to implement the Commission’s precautionary measures, and that a written record reflect its compliance to that effect. Likewise, it urges the petitioners to continue resorting to existing domestic legal remedies. III. COMPETENCE AND ADMISSIBILITY A. Competence 27. The Commission is competent ratione loci to hear the petition insamuch as it alleges violations of rights protected in the American Convention which allegedly took place within national territory of Guatemala, a State Party to that treaty. The Commission is competent 9