Financial Crime World

Guyana Strengthens Ties with Europe to Combat Cross-Border Financial Crime

Meeting between Attorney General and EL PACCTO Delegation

Georgetown, Guyana - The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, welcomed a delegation from the Europe-Latin America Programme of Assistance against Transnational Organised Crime (EL PACCTO) 2.0 to discuss combating cross-border financial crimes in Latin America and the Caribbean.

EL PACCTO’s Regional Approach

The EL PACCTO team, led by Senior Executive Manager Marc Reina Tortosa, has been touring Caribbean countries to identify crucial areas for support and capacity building. The delegation included Strategic Key Experts Alain Lemangnen, Maite Verhoeven, Luuk Bruijn, and Federico Suarez, as well as Programme Manager of the Delegation of the EU to Guyana.

Areas of Focus

During a meeting with Nandlall, EL PACCTO emphasized its commitment to a regional approach in the Caribbean, involving institutions like:

  • The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
  • CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)
  • The Regional Security System (RSS)

Key Areas of Focus

The Attorney General highlighted key areas of focus for EL PACCTO’s mission in Guyana, including:

• Drug trafficking • Firearms trafficking • Environmental crimes • Cybercrime • Human trafficking

Ongoing Legislative Efforts

Nandlall also outlined ongoing legislative efforts in Guyana, such as:

  • The recently passed Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act
  • Proposed Firearms Act
  • New Cybercrime legislation
  • Initiatives for asset recovery and management

Collaboration and Training Proposals

Nandlall proposed collaboration with EL PACCTO to provide training for judges, magistrates, and security professionals in investigating financial crimes. He emphasized the importance of such training in effectively prosecuting criminal elements involved in cross-border activities.

By working together, Guyana and EL PACCTO aim to strengthen the country’s legal framework and enhance its ability to combat cross-border financial crime, ensuring the protection of citizens and investors alike.