The Central Bank of Uruguay published remarks by its president, Guillermo Tolosa, delivered at the opening of the Congress on Prevention of Money Laundering of the Americas, focusing on the economic, social and ethical risks posed by money laundering and reaffirming the central bank’s alignment with Uruguay’s National Strategy against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2025. Tolosa highlighted Uruguay’s “credibility” as an institutional asset that needs protection as illicit structures become more sophisticated, and argued that illicit funds distort capital allocation and the productive fabric of the economy. While noting progress, particularly in the regulatory framework, he pointed to growing threats linked to organised crime, virtual assets, decentralised financial environments and increasingly sophisticated transnational criminal networks. He set out three priorities for the agenda: stronger coordination and joint action, prioritisation of resources for the task, and a review of the sanctions framework to ensure the regime is as deterrent as possible and commensurate with current challenges.