Guyana calls for stronger sensitisation of AML/CFT laws in judiciary

…as AG leads delegation to 62 CFATF Plenary and Working Group meetings in T&T

Guyana is urging the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) to introduce continuous training and education within the judiciaries across the region in order to strengthen their understanding of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws.

This call was made by Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, who is currently attending CFATF’s 62nd Plenary and Working Group Meetings in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from May 24 to 28.
According to a statement from his chambers, during Wednesday’s plenary discussions, AG Nandlall underscored the need for improvements in the rate of convictions and successful forfeiture of proceeds of crime, which he says are unfortunately low across the region.
He also emphasised the need for greater sensitisation of the judiciary in respect of the interpretation and application of the AML/CFT legislation. To this end, the AG called upon CFATF to urgently create an institutional relationship with the judiciary across the region that will result in training and continuous education on the intricacies of the AML/CFT statutory framework, as it is peculiar and oftentimes not properly appreciated.
Nandlall emphasised that judicial interpretation in asset recovery and confiscation proceedings should take into account the FATF methodology, international standards, and the broader objectives underpinning the administration of justice in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and organised crime. He noted that judicial appreciation of the policy rationale behind AML/CFT measures is essential to ensuring that confiscation and forfeiture regimes operate effectively and consistently with international obligations.
“Perhaps the time is ripe to invite nominees of the judiciary to attend plenary meetings, as this would give them first-hand insight into our international obligations and the recommendations which underlie the unique statutory provisions reflected in the legislation,” AG Nandlall stated.
The AG is leading Guyana’s delegation at the major CFATF event, comprising representatives from several competent authorities responsible for Guyana’s AML/CFT framework.
The delegation includes Governor of the Bank of Guyana Dr Gobind Ganga, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Matthew Langevine, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Fazil Karimbaksh, AML/CFT Officer of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs Rommel St Hill, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Diana O’Brien, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Natasha Backer, Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Jimmy Reece, Legal Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources Visal Stram, Risk Officer II (AML/CFT) at the Guyana Revenue Authority Narefa Ghanie-Mangal, Legal Officer and Compliance Officer of the Cooperatives Department at the Ministry of Labour Alyea Williams, Legal and Compliance Manager at the Guyana Gold Board Melissa Smith, and Compliance Officer at the Gaming Authority Victor Herbert.
The four-day plenary and working group meetings focus extensively on regional and international AML/CFT developments, including ongoing discussions on lessons learnt from the fourth round of mutual evaluations as member states prepare for the transition into the fifth-round assessment process under the FATF methodology.
Particular attention is being placed on enhancing effectiveness ratings, strengthening institutional coordination, improving beneficial ownership transparency, increasing the use of financial intelligence, and advancing asset recovery and confiscation frameworks across the region.
Meanwhile, it was also noted that Guyana is also engaged in discussions relating to its upcoming compliance obligations under the CFATF follow-up process. Guyana is scheduled to undergo a follow-up report process in November 2026 and is expected to be assessed for re-ratings in November 2027 as part of its continued efforts to demonstrate technical compliance and effectiveness under the FATF standards.
Earlier in the week, the Guyanese delegation participated in several technical working groups addressing mutual evaluations, compliance monitoring, typologies, operational cooperation, and technical assistance initiatives aimed at strengthening regional capacity to detect, investigate, prosecute, and deter financial crimes.
Later this year, Guyana is scheduled to host a number of crucial regional initiatives and activities as part of its continued commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing national and regional security architecture. These include the hosting of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for the Caribbean (ARIN-CARIB) annual conference in July 2026, which will bring together regional and international experts involved in asset recovery and inter-agency cooperation in combating transnational crime.
Guyana will also host a CFATF Assessors’ Training Programme during September/October 2026, through which participants will receive specialised training in conducting mutual evaluations and assessing countries’ compliance with FATF standards. The programme will include the training of several personnel from Guyana in various relevant sectors as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s technical capacity and regional leadership in AML/CFT matters.
Guyana was given a clean bill of health at the conclusion of the country’s mutual evaluation exercise carried out by the CFATF in 2024.
According to the AG Chambers, the country now hopes to fare even better in its upcoming follow-up evaluation in 2027.