The draft budget law submitted to Parliament on June 30, 2022, provides the following measures to step up policies on the subject:[1]
- Change in criteria for appointment of representatives to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Coordinating Commission: If the bill of law is approved, the Coordinating Commission may be chaired by any representative appointed by the President of the Republic, and not only the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Office of the President.[2]
- First Prosecutor’s Office specializing in Asset Laundering Crimes: Article 373 of the aforesaid bill of law provides for creation of the first prosecutor’s office specializing in asset laundering and terrorism financing to investigate the different crimes related to asset laundering, terrorism and its financing, predicate offenses and assistance. The bill also provides that Montevideo criminal courts for drugs will cease to be competent on these matters and will be replaced by the new specialized prosecutor’s office.
- New legal powers conferred upon SENACLAFT national secretary.[3] They include:
- To assist the new specialized prosecutor’s office on economic-financial investigation processes related to asset laundering and terrorism financing crimes.
- To issue binding rulings and instructions for nonfinancial entities.
[1] For the text of the draft budget law see here
[2] Art. 47 of the draft budget law provides new wording for art. 1 of law 19,574.
[3] Art. 45 of the draft budget law adds paragraphs I) and J) to art. 4 of law 19,574.