The United States Embassy in Guatemala celebrated the approval of the new law against money laundering by the Guatemalan Congress and called for a rapid and effective implementation, considering that the regulation strengthens the rule of law, protects citizens from criminal and terrorist activities, and favors the security and economic prosperity of both countries, according to the diplomatic mission.
The law was approved this Tuesday with 147 votes in favor in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. According to the Congress itself, the Comprehensive Law for the Prevention and Repression of Money Laundering or Other Assets and Financing updates the country’s legal framework to prevent and combat these crimes in accordance with international standards.
The regulation gains weight for a specific reason: it replaces legislation that had been in force for more than 25 years and, for the first time, brings together in a single legal body the provisions to combat both money laundering and the financing of terrorism, according to the Superintendency of Banks.
The U.S. embassy maintained that the approval “demonstrates the commitment to economic strengthening and the rule of law in Guatemala by establishing a legal framework that protects its citizens from criminal and terrorist activities.” In that same message, it added that it looks forward to “its rapid and effective implementation to promote economic prosperity and the security of the United States and Guatemala.”
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The new regulation seeks to avoid international sanctions and strengthen financial control
According to the information released by Congress, the initiative was designed to provide Guatemala with modern legal tools against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, two threats that, according to that body, have pressured the integrity of the national financial system.
The core of the law is direct: it modernizes the State’s capacity to monitor suspicious financial operations, improve international cooperation, and strengthen the response to complex and transnational crimes. During the parliamentary discussion, deputies pointed out the need to have updated regulations to strengthen surveillance and control over those operations.
The text also seeks to prevent resources of illicit origin from entering the formal economy, protect legitimate businesses, and safeguard the value of the currency. In that same vein, it proposes restricting the flow of illegal cash to reduce the margin of action for organized crime and prevent the financing of terrorist activities.
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Another effect noted in the available information is external: by aligning with global requirements, Guatemala reduces the risk of being included on international blacklists that would hinder global trade and transactions. The legislation also strengthens the authorities’ ability to monitor, detect, and punish financial crimes, particularly that of the SIB.
The Superintendency of Banks defined the approval as an institutional milestone
The approval of Decree 15-2026 was received by the Superintendency of Banks as a milestone. According to an official statement issued after the vote, the entity acknowledged the work of the various institutional actors who participated in the drafting, analysis, and approval of the text.
The vote took place after weeks of negotiations and discussions between different legislative blocs. According to the information released by Congress, those conversations allowed for the analysis and consensus on amendments to the final text before taking it to the plenary session.
The support of the majority of the deputies present, according to legislative information, expressed a political will aimed at shielding the national economy against crimes of a transnational scope. That orientation was also highlighted by the diplomatic mission of the United States, which linked the regulation to the shared security between both countries.
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The SIB warned that the result will now depend on execution. According to the entity, the effectiveness of the new legal framework will be tied to its proper implementation, the coordination between the competent authorities, and the participation of all actors in the financial system.
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In that statement, the Superintendency reiterated its commitment to contribute to the effective application of the law and to maintain the integrity of the Guatemalan financial system in line with international commitments.
