MEMORANDUM **

Carlos Enrique Cardona Rivas, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions pro se for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for asylum and withholding of removal. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence findings of fact, including adverse credibility determinations, Chebchoub v. INS, 257 F.3d 1038, 1042 (9th Cir. 2001), and we deny the petition for review.

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination based on the inconsistencies both within Cardona Rivas’ testimony, and between his testimony and documentary evidence concerning whether or not he deserted the army, whether or not he participated in the harm of others during his military service, and when his cousin was harmed by guerrillas. See id. at 1043. Contrary to Cardona Rivas’ assertion, these inconsistencies are material to his claim. See id. (inconsistencies relating to “the events leading up to [petitioner’s] departure” were material); see also 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(2)(A)(i) (a person who “ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution” of any person on account of one of the five grounds may not be granted asylum). In the absence of credible testimony, Cardona Rivas’ asylum and withholding of removal claims fail. See Farah v. Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 1153, 1156 (9th Cir. 2003).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.