The approval of the Comprehensive Law against Money Laundering or Other Assets and the Financing of Terrorism by the Congress of the Republic generated favorable reactions from business chambers, financial entities and economic sectors, which in recent months had insisted on the need to modernize Guatemalan legislation to comply with international standards and avoid risks for the national financial system.
The regulations, approved on June 2 with the support of 147 deputies, replace a legal framework in force for more than 25 years and bring together in a single regulatory body the provisions related to the prevention of money laundering and the terrorist financing. Various sectors consider that the update strengthens the country’s institutions and improves the conditions to face the evaluation international that Guatemala will have to face in 2027.
The Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (Cacif) described the approval of the law as a momentous decision for strengthen financial stability, transparency and legality in Guatemala.
According to the organized business sector, the new legislation contributes to preserving the confidence of investors, commercial partners and international financial organizationsin addition to strengthening the State’s capabilities to prevent and combat criminal structures that seek to infiltrate the formal economy.
Likewise, he highlighted that the regulations send a positive signal about the country’s commitment to the Rule of Lawthe legal certainty and the creation of favorable conditions for the investmenthe employment and the sustainable economic growth.
The organized business sector recognizes the approval of the Comprehensive Law against Money Laundering or Other Assets and the Financing of Terrorism by the Congress of the Republic, a transcendental decision to strengthen the country’s institutions, protect the… pic.twitter.com/E4J8io6tIg
— CACIF (@CACIFGuatemala) June 3, 2026
Private sector celebrates approval of the anti-money laundering law
The Chamber of Industry of Guatemala affirmed that the norm aligns Guatemala with international standards and recommendations promoted by the FATF and Gafilat.
He also considered that Decree 15-2026 strengthens the country’s competitivenessprovides greater legal certainty and protects financial reputation among investors and business partners.
CIG recognizes the approval of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law that strengthens the country’s financial reputation, and strengthens the national legal framework for the prevention, detection and combat of these crimes.
Read the full position:… pic.twitter.com/1JL7OtNyUN
— Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (@industriaguate) June 3, 2026
In turn, the Guatemalan-American Chamber of Commerce reiterated the importance of implement the standard in a technical, effective and transparent manner.
“Consolidates an environment of more transparent, secure and competitive business within the framework of international standards,” stated AmCham Guatemala in a statement issued after the approval in Congress of the Comprehensive Law against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.
AmCham Guatemala before the approval of the Comprehensive Law Against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism @usembassyguate pic.twitter.com/HpNeljyCnK
— AmCham Guatemala (@AmChamGT) June 3, 2026
The Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (Fundesa) pointed out that the standard strengthens the financial system and competitiveness of Guatemala in the international market.
Fundesa highlighted that the approval of the anti-laundering law constitutes a important step towards reaching investment gradesince it eliminates one of the most relevant risk factors for international markets identified by FATF.
“A country with robust legal frameworks attracts quality investment, generates formal jobs and protects its citizens from the advance of illicit economies that distort competition and erode institutions,” indicated the statement spread on social networks.
✍🏼 #Release | FUNDESA celebrates the approval of the Law against Money Laundering or other Assets and Financing against Terrorism pic.twitter.com/7zq2XWGMDS
— FUNDESA (@FUNDESA) June 3, 2026
The Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) also recognized the approval of the law and noted that it represents a strategic decision for the country’s competitiveness.
Through a statement, the entity indicated that the new legislation strengthens the institutional framework and contributes to maintaining the confidence of investors, international markets and commercial partners, elements that he considers fundamental to consolidate Guatemala as a safe and competitive country for business.
At AGEXPORT we recognize the @CongresoGuate the approval of the Comprehensive Law against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.
Here our position ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/uxjsxv7gRz
— AGEXPORT (@AGEXPORTGT) June 3, 2026
Agexport added that the challenge now will be to guarantee an effective, technical and transparent implementation that allows achieving the objectives for which the regulations were created and strengthening the country’s international reputation.
The Superintendency of Banks (SIB) stated that the approval of the law constitutes a decisive step to update and strengthen national regulations on the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism.
The institution highlighted that the new legislation represents a milestone because it integrates both matters into a single regulation for the first time and updates a regulatory framework that remained in force for more than two decades.
𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗢 | The Superintendency of Banks reports:#SIBGuatemala #MoneyLaundering #NiUnQuetzalllegal #Guatemala pic.twitter.com/YWkVGltfkq
— SIB Guatemala (@sib_guatemala) June 3, 2026
In addition, he reiterated his commitment to collaborate in the implementation and application of the law to strengthen the integrity, transparency and resilience of the Guatemalan financial system.
The Chamber of Agriculture recognized the approval of Decree 15-2026, Comprehensive Law against Money Laundering or Other Assets and the Financing of Terrorism, and described it as an important step to strengthen institutionalitythe legal certainty and the competitiveness from Guatemala. The entity highlighted that the regulations represent progress in modernizing the country’s legal framework and strengthening mechanisms to prevent financial crimes.
In its statement, the organization pointed out that adequate implementation of the law will contribute to preserving international confidence in Guatemala, strengthening the financial system and generating better conditions for investmenthe trade and the economic development. In addition, he considered that the new legislation can favor a more solid environment for productive activity and the attraction of capital.
On the approval of Decree 15-2026, Comprehensive Law against Money Laundering or Other Assets and the Financing of Terrorism. pic.twitter.com/FX5aXrfVfH
— Chamber of Agriculture (@CamagroGuate) June 3, 2026
The US diplomatic headquarters considers that the approval of the new legislation represents an important step in the fight against money laundering. According to the embassy, the regulations demonstrate Guatemala’s commitment to economic strengthening and the rule of law by establishing a legal framework to combat criminal activities and the financing of terrorism.
The representation of the United States also expresses its expectation that the law will be implemented quickly and effectively. In his opinion, the application of the regulations will contribute to strengthening economic prosperity, security and cooperation between Guatemala and the United States.
We recognize the important step that the @CongresoGuate has hit against money laundering. The approval of a law in this area demonstrates the commitment to economic strengthening and the rule of law in Guatemala by establishing a legal framework that protects its citizens… pic.twitter.com/CDvlS81E3D
— US Embassy Guatemala (@usembassyguate) June 3, 2026
A law promoted by pressure from different sectors
The approval of the regulations occurred after several months of legislative discussion and public calls for national entities and international organizations for Guatemala to update its legislation.
The president Bernardo Arevalo stated that the approval of the Decree 15-2026Comprehensive Law against Money Laundering or Other Assets and the Financing of Terrorism, represents progress to strengthen the State’s capabilities against criminal structures. According to the president, the regulations update the legal tools to more effectively pursue finances linked to the drug traffickingthe corruption and the racketeeringin addition to contributing to the protection of the national economy and the stability of the Guatemalan financial system.
Today Guatemala wins. Those who seek to enrich themselves with drug trafficking, corruption and organized crime lose.
Because protecting the people also means hitting crime where it hurts most: their finances. We have Anti-Laundering Law.
— Bernardo Arévalo (@BArevalodeLeon) June 3, 2026
Among the sectors that supported the initiative were the Monetary Board, the Superintendency of Banks, the Banking Association of Guatemala, business chambers, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United States Embassy and representatives of the export sector.
The main concern was that Guatemala In 2027, it will face an evaluation by the Latin American Financial Action Group (Gafilat), an organization that will review the effectiveness of national mechanisms to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Various sectors had warned that failure to pass updated legislation could increase the risk of the country being included on international watch lists, with possible effects on financial reputation, foreign investment, foreign trade and transactions linked to remittances.
With the approval of the new law, authorities and economic sectors consider that Guatemala takes a step to strengthen its regulatory framework and align itself with international recommendations on the prevention of financial crimes.
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