Feb 28 • 12:00 UTC 🇪🇨 Ecuador El Universo (ES)

Suspicious Operations

Ecuador's government has issued a decree regulating its Anti-Money Laundering Law in response to a recent mutual evaluation report highlighting medium-high risks of money laundering in the country.

The Ecuadorian government has recently enacted a decree regarding the regulation of its Anti-Money Laundering Law, following observations from the 2023 Mutual Evaluation Report by GAFILAT, which identified a medium-high overall risk of money laundering in Ecuador. This regulatory response aims to bolster the country's financial system's resilience against such illicit activities. The decree was developed with guidance from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and is set to take effect in December 2025.

Key provisions of the decree include the requirement for financial institutions to report any individual or multiple transactions of $10,000 or more conducted by the same person within a thirty-day window. Additionally, the decree emphasizes the need for enhanced inter-institutional coordination involving various governmental bodies, including financial regulatory agencies and law enforcement. It also aims to establish specialized committees focused on prevention, risk management, and investigation, as well as setting up administrative sanction levels to enforce compliance.

One critical aspect of the new regulations is the introduction of a secure channel for citizen reports and the implementation of the SISLAFT information system. These enhancements are designed to improve the detection and prevention of money laundering activities in Ecuador, indicating a significant step towards strengthening the financial integrity of the nation. The decree signifies the government's commitment to tackling money laundering and aligning with international standards, potentially improving Ecuador's standing in global financial systems.

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