Uruguay has launched a comprehensive five-year national strategy (2025–2030) to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and arms trafficking. The plan represents the country’s most ambitious effort yet to safeguard its economy and strengthen its position in the global financial system.
The initiative builds on the findings of a 2024 National Risk Assessment, which highlighted serious vulnerabilities linked to organized crime, drug trafficking, corruption, and illicit financial flows. Authorities stressed that without decisive action, Uruguay could risk placement on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list,” a move that would damage investor trust and restrict the nation’s access to international financial markets.
Core Focus of the Strategy
The strategy introduces tighter oversight on both financial institutions and non-financial professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and real estate brokers. Enhanced customer due diligence, stricter reporting of suspicious activities, and transaction monitoring thresholds of 10,000 to 15,000 US dollars will be enforced more rigorously.
It also prioritizes modernization of Uruguay’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. This includes stronger regulatory powers, sharper investigative tools, and tougher penalties for non-compliance. Authorities emphasized that effective enforcement will be the backbone of the reforms.
Equally important is the emphasis on interagency collaboration. The plan empowers SENACLAFT (National Secretariat for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) and the Central Bank’s Coordinating Commission to play leading roles in harmonizing the country’s defenses against financial crime. The strategy also calls for greater alignment with civil society and private-sector actors to ensure all stakeholders work together.
Why the Timing Matters
Uruguay’s urgency stems from external and internal pressures. Internationally, the threat of FATF grey listing looms large. Domestically, the country’s strong reputation for transparency—reflected in its 2024 score of 76 on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, the highest in the Americas—makes it essential to preserve hard-earned trust. A slip in oversight could undermine decades of progress and weaken Uruguay’s role as one of the region’s more stable democracies.
Looking Forward
Between now and 2030, the strategy will focus on aligning Uruguay with international compliance standards, introducing automated systems for suspicious transaction reporting, and strengthening the ability of regulators to respond quickly to emerging threats. Regular national risk assessments will be conducted to ensure adaptability to evolving criminal tactics.
By rolling out this ambitious roadmap, Uruguay is positioning itself not only as a regional leader in financial integrity but also as a trusted partner in global anti-crime efforts.
