FATF Status

Uruguay is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Uruguay was undertaken in 2019. According to that Evaluation, Uruguay was deemed Compliant for 16 and Largely Compliant for 23 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was deemed Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 of the Effectiveness & Technical Compliance ratings.

U.S. firms do not view corruption as a significant barrier to investment in Uruguay, which is recognized as the least corrupt country in Latin America according to Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perception Index. The Uruguayan government has established laws to combat bribery and corruption, including a framework for fighting money laundering and terrorism financing. While the Junta de Transparencia y Ética Pública oversees public sector corruption, its impact is limited, and corruption-related challenges are primarily found in public procurement.

Uruguay offers a stable investment climate that treats foreign and national investments equally, with no prior authorization required for most investments. The country has been recognized for its transparency and political stability, ranking as the most transparent in Latin America in 2023, and has seen a resurgence in foreign direct investment due to tax incentives and a growing tech industry.

Uruguay offers a stable investment climate that treats foreign and national investments equally, allowing most investments without prior authorization and enabling free transfer of capital and profits. The country has been recognized as the most transparent in Latin America and has a strong legal framework for dispute resolution, with investors expressing high satisfaction regarding the macroeconomic and political stability, as well as the tax incentives available. Despite some concerns about bureaucracy and costs, the overall environment is conducive for foreign investment.