The Latin American Financial Action Task Force published the outcomes of its 53rd plenary, including approval of the region’s first sectoral risk assessment of financing for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It also updated the international standards for its fifth round of mutual evaluations to reflect changes to the interpretive note for Recommendation 6, including humanitarian exceptions established by United Nations Security Council resolutions. The plenary reviewed ongoing mutual evaluations of Mexico, Cuba and Costa Rica, formally began Honduras’ evaluation and adjusted guidance on using artificial intelligence in evaluation processes. It also approved a regional approach to AI-related anti-money laundering, counterterrorist financing and counterproliferation financing risks, alongside work on regional repositories for virtual asset and virtual asset service provider data and mechanisms to verify beneficial ownership information. GAFILAT plans to launch free sanctions-list monitoring software for designated nonfinancial businesses and professions in September 2026. Its AI program includes a strategic session that month, high-level panels in December 2026 and a regional risk assessment of AI and emerging technologies during 2027.
2026-08-21Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (GAFILAT)
Latin American Financial Action Task Force approves first regional proliferation financing risk assessment and updates fifth-round standards
The Latin American Financial Action Task Force approved the region’s first sectoral proliferation financing risk assessment and updated its fifth-round evaluation standards to incorporate humanitarian exceptions under United Nations Security Council resolutions. It also advanced mutual evaluations and adopted a regional program to assess AI and emerging-technology risks, with work continuing through 2027.