Guatemala prepares for new anti‑money‑laundering law ahead of FATF evaluation

Guatemala's Congress approved Legislative Decree 15‑2026, a comprehensive anti‑money‑laundering and terrorism‑financing law that will take effect on 17 September. The Superintendencia de Bancos (SIB) is drafting the accompanying regulation and has begun a consultation process with banks, companies and international bodies. SIB head Saulo De León Durán said a draft is already available and the regulation will be finalized and submitted to the president within six months of the law’s entry into force.

The law aims to bring Guatemala’s AML framework in line with international standards, reduce the risk of being placed on a gray list, and support the country’s upcoming mutual evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Latin American FATF (GAFILAT) scheduled for 2027. Juan Carlos Monroy, the Special Verification Officer of the SIB, highlighted the reform as a pivotal step for the nation’s financial integrity and economic development, stressing that it will boost investor confidence and access to global markets.