Press Release: Guyana host CFATF Assessors’ Training with participants from 16 countries and territories to strengthen the fight against financial crimes

The Government of Guyana, through the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, successfully hosted a five-day Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Assessors’ Training Programme in Georgetown, Guyana, from 9 to 13 November 2026.

The training brought together approximately 50 participants representing 16 countries and territories, including Guyana, and formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional capacity to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

The Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC MP, Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, visited the training programme, where he engaged with representatives of the CFATF Secretariat, the trainers and participants from across the region.

During his visit, the Attorney General interacted with the officials undergoing training and underscored the importance of developing regional expertise and strengthening institutional capacity to effectively combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

The CFATF is the regional body responsible for monitoring and assessing the implementation of international standards established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. These assessments, commonly referred to as Mutual Evaluations, examine both the extent to which countries have implemented the FATF Recommendations through their laws and institutional frameworks and the effectiveness of those measures in practice.

The Assessors’ Training Programme was specifically designed to equip public-sector officials with the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to participate in these Mutual Evaluations.

Guyana was represented by nine officials drawn from key national institutions, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Bank of Guyana, the Gaming Authority, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force, and the Cooperatives Department of the Ministry of Labour. Their participation strengthened the technical capacity of these institutions and enhanced Guyana’s ability to contribute to regional assessment exercises.

Importantly, participants who successfully completed the programme may be considered for selection to serve as assessors on future CFATF Mutual Evaluation teams.

The training was facilitated by five experienced officials and technical experts associated with the CFATF Secretariat, namely Mr. Wendell Lucas, Deputy Executive Director; Mr. Christopher Lahourie, Law Enforcement Advisor; Ms. Camille Renie, Legal Advisor; Ms. Knalidi Jackson Frederick, Financial Advisor; and Ms. Nalita Seenath, Junior Financial Advisor.

Also attending and providing support on behalf of the CFATF Secretariat were Mrs. Jadelle Holder-Remy and Ms. Kimberly Cyril.

The programme was particularly significant as CFATF member jurisdictions transitioned from the Fourth Round to the Fifth Round of Mutual Evaluations, which placed considerable emphasis on the effectiveness of national systems in identifying, investigating, prosecuting and disrupting financial crimes, recovering criminal proceeds, and mitigating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing risks.

The training also took place at an important stage in Guyana’s ongoing engagement with the CFATF, as the country continued implementing measures arising from its Fourth Round Mutual Evaluation and prepared for its November 2026 follow-up reporting process. Guyana also continued pursuing improvements to its technical compliance framework, with further re-rating considerations anticipated in November 2027.

The Government of Guyana continues to prioritise the modernisation of its legislative and institutional framework for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, including measures aimed at strengthening financial intelligence, supervision, investigation, prosecution,  confiscation and asset recovery.

Guyana reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the CFATF, the FATF and regional and international partners to ensure that Guyana’s AML/CFT/CPF framework remained effective, responsive and aligned with international standards.

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