Nandlall pushes for stronger CFATF–judiciary ties to combat financial crime

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has called on the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) to strengthen its institutional relationship with regional judiciaries to improve conviction rates for money laundering and terrorist financing crimes.

In a statement, the Attorney General’s Chambers said calls were made for the CFATF to increase training and continuous education on the intricacies of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework to better sensitise the judiciary on the interpretation and application of AML/CFT legislation.

Speaking at the CFATF’s 62nd Plenary and Working Group Meetings in Port of Spain, Nandlall said conviction rates and the successful forfeiture of proceeds of crime remain low across the region.

He emphasised the need for judicial interpretation in asset recovery and confiscation proceedings to take into account the Financial Action Task Force methodology, international standards, and the broader objectives underpinning the administration of justice in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and organised crime.

Nandlall also proposed that judicial nominees participate in regional plenary meetings to fully appreciate the region’s obligations under the global Financial Action Task Force.

Guyana will undergo a Follow-Up Report on its anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism interventions later this year as it prepares for its triennial rating assessment scheduled for November 2027.