Guatemala advances anti‑money‑laundering law ahead of 2027 GAFILAT review

Guatemala’s Superintendencia de Bancos (SIB) says the country has made significant progress in fighting money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The agency urges Congress to approve Initiative 6593, the Comprehensive Law for the Prevention and Repression of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, calling it a “strategic priority” as Guatemala prepares for its fifth mutual evaluation with GAFILAT in 2027.

The law would update earlier reforms that removed Guatemala from the FATF blacklist in 2004 and created a special financial intelligence unit. Congress is scheduled to debate the proposal on 2 June, after facing amendments from several parliamentary blocs. The U.S. embassy in Guatemala has publicly supported the measure, saying it would help keep narcotics traffickers and criminals away from U.S. communities.

SIB stresses that a stronger anti‑laundering framework will protect the economy, boost investor confidence, preserve international financial relationships and reduce risks that could affect the banking system and thousands of Guatemalan families.