Latin America Round-Up

BRAZIL Football and fraud Brazil has committed to billions of dollars worth of infrastructure investments in preparation for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. The opportunities for foreign suppliers, contractors and investors are considerable. So, too, are

CENTRAL AMERICA New initiative against corruptionThe countries of Central America's so called northern triangle - El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala - are studying setting up an international commission against impunity, a body capable of taking on organized crime in the

CENTRAL AMERICA Fight against Trafficking Creates Crime Niches in Central AmericaIncreased efforts against drug trafficking in Colombia and Mexico are driving drug mafias into Central America, where drug related corruption, money laundering and violence are growing. President Alfaro Colom of

COSTA RICA Arrested with $259,000 A Mexican identified only as Ramírez Sánchez was arrested in San José with $259,000 hidden in his luggage as he was trying to get back to Guadalajara. Costa Rican authorities also detained a Panamanian identified

CHILE The Right is Back After 52 years without a victory at the ballot, the right is coming back to rule Chile, as multi millionaire businessman and former Senator Sebastián Piñera barely won the run off against Eduardo Frei Ruiz

INTERNATIONAL Carbon Markets, a new business frontier While the climate change summit in the Danish capital ended up in mixed results, some experts warn that, by pushing carbon offsetting and trade, governments of developed countries have created a market that

BRAZIL Favelas Drugs, guns and gangsIn São João, a favela on the north side of Rio, drug gang look outs perch on rooftops and at other strategic spots overlooking the entry points to the slum, just a few meters from

COLOMBIA Pyramid sage will be extraditedColombia's Supreme Court authorized the extradition of David Murcia Guzmán - convicted in Colombia of swindling millions of dollars from thousands of people and money laundering - to the US, where he was indicted for

COLOMBIA Pyramid sage will be extraditedColombia's Supreme Court authorized the extradition of David Murcia Guzmán - convicted in Colombia of swindling millions of dollars from thousands of people and money laundering - to the US, where he was indicted for

ARGENTINAMushrooming corruption allegations Allegations of corruption against public officials have mushroomed against a backdrop of the diminishing popularity of the government. Prosecutions brought during the administration of Néstor Kirchner (2003 2007), President Cristina Fernández's husband and predecessor, have picked up

COLOMBIA Everybody under surveillance The revelation that the Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS) - Colombia's domestic secret police service, which answers directly to president Álvaro Uribe - has illegally hadjournalists and opposition leaders in Colombia under surveillance has created a

COLOMBIA Espionage scandal A scandal brought about by Colombian President Álvaro Uribe having illegal meetings with judges, politicians, journalists and former public officials has cast a shadow over his government, inside and outside of the country. Colombians are now demanding

BRAZIL Switzerland accused of non cooperation A judge in Sao Paulo has sent a letter to the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force accusing Switzerland of violating a UN international convention because the Swiss government refused to inform

PARAGUAY Twenty years of transition Paraguay celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of former dictator Alfredo Stroessner (1954 1989) amid uncertainty for the loss of power of the Colorado Party, which ruled the country for 61 years. In February

ARGENTINA Money mess at the Ministry A few days before the Néstor Kirchner transferred power to his wife Cristina in December, 2007, the Ministry of Finance paid irregularly $15.7 million to a group of foreign insurance companies linked to Iván

ARGENTINA Menem on trialAlthough he did not show up at court, former Argentina president Carlos Menem began to be tried for his alleged involvement in smuggling arms to Ecuador and Croatia, the biggest corruption scandal during his years in office

BRAZIL Trees and corruptionThe battle against the wood pulp industry intensified this month in the Brazilian courts, especially in those states where eucalyptus plantations have expanded the most.In Rio Grande do Sul, five environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the

ARGENTINA & VENEZUELA Extradition for Antonini WilsonGuido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, a Venezuelan US entrepreneur involved in the so called "suitcase scandal", may still be extradited to Argentina to stand trial for smuggling and money laundering, according to Assistant US Attorney

BRAZIL & INTERNATIONAL: Brazil Chairs the FATF; HONDURAS: Silence on Public Financial Informationto local observers; MEXICO: Western Union in Trouble; New Anti-Laundering Tariff; and PERU: Governing APRA Under Pressure; Montesinos Admits Crimes; Protests in Lima.

COLOMBIA: Laundering Through Cows; MEXICO: Cubans Entering US through Mexico; Anti-Drug Plan on the Rocks; New Anti-Laundering Body; Salinas's Money to Return Home; NICARAGUA: Hard Times for Ortega; PERU: Something Smelly In Military Rations; Exoneration for Lawmakers Accused of Accepting Bribes; and REGIONAL: Haiti and Colombia the Most Vulnerable; Smear Campaigns against NGOs.

BOLIVIA: More Controls; COLOMBIA: Casa de Cambio Banned; COSTA RICA: Uncertain Future in the Egmont Group; HONDURAS: Hunger Strike against Corruption; MEXICO: Oil Dirty; PARAGUAY: A new era?; and VENEZUELA: Venezuela and Iran, Allies.

COLOMBIA: FARC's financial structure dismantled; "Macaco's" extradition disputed; Uribe's relative arrested; MEXICO: Casas de Cambio in jeopardy; Druglord arrested; Money laundering and the church; and PERU: More Dirty Secrets Out in Fujimori's Trial.

Latin America Round-Up: BOLIVIA: Phony Phone Cards Come to Bolivia; CENTRAL AMERICA: Gangs and Corruption; COLOMBIA & VENEZUELA: Colombia Threatens to Denounce Venezuela; THE CARIBBEAN: Crime Wave; PANAMA: Drug Bust; PERU & VENEZUELA: Funds for Covert Meddling?; REGIONAL: 11 out of 20 countries cited for involement in narcotics trafficking.

ARGENTINA: Corruption and Chlorophyll; Know Your Client; CHILE: In the Rich Man's Club?; New Anti-Money Laundering Measures at the Postal Service; GUATEMALA: Silence about murders; MEXICO: Controversy in the fight against trafficking continues; and REGIONAL: ALBA may be fined.

ARGENTINA: Facing the Ugly Past; BRAZIL: Elections Soon; Drug Land Seized; HONDURAS: YouTube Blues; MEXICO: Drug Trafficking: Alive and Well; Drug Lord Arrested; PARAGUAY: Election & Corruption; and PERU: The Twisted Trial against Fujimori.

BRAZIL: Weapons Galore; Pay Raises Cause Outrage; CHILE: Never Convicted, Pinochet Dies; COLOMBIA: Colombia to Receive Orejuela's Money; INTERNATIONAL: Bribes the rule; MEXICO: Oaxaca still a mess; Drug Money, Impossible to Uproot; NICARAGUA: New Government Already in Motion; PERU: Worrying Signals; Fujimori's Money in Bank of Tokyo; and REGIONAL: A few families control all.

ARGENTINA & VENEZUELA: Laundering and Politics; CARIBBEAN: The heat from the USA PATRIOT Act; COSTA RICA: Investigating Banco Popular; Costa Rica, Head of GAFIC; Remittances on the rise; GUATEMALA: Lottery under scrutiny; MEXICO: Chairing the OAS Anti-Laundering Group; and PERU: Fujimori sentenced.

BRAZIL: Investigating Swiss Banks; CHILE: First Money Launderer in Prison; COLOMBIA: Parapolitics in Action; GUATEMALA:New President; MEXICO: Arellano Félix Sentenced to Life; Friction over Merida Initiative; The Mexican Connection in the Wachovia and Harris banks Case; PERU: 30 Years for Fujimori?; REGIONAL: ‘Specially Designated' Latin Americans; and VENEZUELA: Seedy Diamonds.

BRAZIL Fight against drugs controversy Brazil is involved an increasingly angry debate about the role of the security forces as they fight against drug trafficking mafias in shanty towns. The government decided to leave this fight in the army's hands

COLOMBIANarco arrested Diego León Montoya Sánchez, one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, has been arrested by Colombian authorities near Zarzal in the Colombian state of Valle del Cauca. Montoya has been on the FBI's “Ten Most Wanted” list

ARGENTINA & VENEZUELAThe mystery of the Venezuelan suitcases The scandal over the arrival to Argentina of a Venezuelan businessman carrying $800,000 in undeclared cash on a government hired jet has had its first victims. Claudio Uberti, the head of the

ARGENTINA: Minister Resigned as Monday Laundering Suspect:; BRAZIL: The Berezovsky Connection; Lawsuits against Investigative Reporting; CHILE/PERU: Thicker and Thicker; EL SALVADOR: New Initiative to Report Financial Transactions; MEXICO: Former Governor Extradited; Frozen Money to Be Shared; NICARAGUA/PANAMA: Alemán Is Summoned.

GUATEMALA: Babies and Money; MEXICO: Pro and Anti Casinos Clash; Police: A Tale of Impotence and Corruption; After 30 Years, Guilty; PARAGUAY: New Law against Money Laundering; and PERU: Cocaine, Growing; Fujimori Arrested, Again.

ARGENTINA: New Law to Include Terrorism; BRAZIL, COLOMBIA & PANAMA: More Soccer Players in Trouble; CHILE: Attempt to Reinforce Anti Money Laundering Legislation; COLOMBIA: Dollars Galore; Regulate yourself!; Creative Ways to Launder Money; MEXICO: Up in Arms; and PERU: Hope for Extradition.

ARGENTINA: Diego Maradona a money launderer?; Banco de la Nación in trouble; BRAZIL: Embarrassment at the National Lottery; ECUADOR: Institutional Crisis; THE TRIPLE FRONTIER: A Mystery Kidnapping; PERU: Money-launderers Free to Go; Yesterday Accused, Today In Power.

ARGENTINA: Another look at real estate; BRAZIL: Violence in the Favelas; COLOMBIA: One Araújo replaces another; EL SALVADOR: The “other” transport taxes; GUATEMALA: Murder, corruption and politics; HONDURAS: New transparency law unsatisfactory; REGIONAL: Fine for Miami bank; The bank serves mainly the South of Florida, Central America and the Caribbean; and VENEZUELA: Poverty in wealthy countries.

CHILE: Informal Exchange Market Should Be Regulated; NICARAGUA: Ends Row over Frozen Money; PERU: Plot Thickens for Fujimori; REGIONAL: Coca Flourishes; Soccer under the microscope; and URUGUAY: More Anti-laundering Controls.

CHILE: Not As Clean As It Looks; GUATEMALA: Portillo Closer to Home; HAITI: IDT's Blues; INTERNATIONAL: No Good News from TI Report; MEXICO: Smugglers and Launderers Neutralized; No Solution to Oaxaca's Crisis; NICARAGUA: Ortega Returns; REGIONAL: Businesses Worry About Frauds, Hackers and … Laundering; and URUGUAY: The Last of the Free Peiranos.

ARGENTINA New anti terrorism law Under pressure from the United States, Argentina is about to pass a law that will punish the funding of terrorist activities. Until now, Argentina did not have laws specifically combating terrorism funding. The Argentinean Congress

BRAZIL Complicated campaignIt looked like an easy first round victory for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva until Brazil's election campaign was shaken by a convoluted corruption scandal. The president's party, the Workers Party (known as PT), has been accused

BRAZIL New intelligence unit Brazil's Foreign Ministry officially announced the creation of an intelligence center, in cooperation with Argentina and Paraguay, located in Foz do Iguacu - in the so called tri border region - to combat money laundering and

MEXICO: The Trouble with Acapulco; REGIONAL: Tri-Border Area Targeted; Remittances under Fire; Remittances Gone Bad; and VENEZUELA: Better Practices?

CHILE: The Arms-Laundering Connection; COLOMBIA: Updated Black List; INTERNATIONAL: International Cooperation Facilitates Capture; PANAMA: Towards Expansion?; and PERU: García Wins; and New Tools to Fight against Laundering.

COLOMBIA: Uribe set for win;; Arrested for Money Laundering; MEXICO: Laundering Couple Trapped; NICARAGUA: Efforts to Repatriate Alemán's Assets Continue; PANAMA: Prestigious Law Firm Involved in Pinochet Scandal; and PARAGUAY: Saving Cooperatives under Scrutiny.

ARGENTINA & OTHERS Efforts to regulate remittances markets…The Argentinean Central Bank is examining a plan to toughen the regulation of the remittances market in order to prevent money laundering. Remittances to Argentina rose almost eightfold, from $100 billion in 2001

ARGENTINA: Towards the End Of a Tragedy; BOLIVIA: Agrarian Reform; COLOMBIA: More Requirements for PEP Accounts; From Legislative to Presidential Elections; REGIONAL: Pre-paid Cards Under ScrutinY; MEXICO: Corruption and Water; Extraditing Informant; PANAMA: News from Noriega; VENEZUELA: Agrarian Reform Gone Sour.

ARGENTINA: New Anti-Money Laundering unit; BRAZIL: PineBank under Scrutiny in Miami; CHILE: More controls over casinos; COLOMBIA: Businessman accused of money laundering; Rodríguez Orejuela's son in trouble; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The Anti-Laundering Unit fever goes on; GUATEMALA: US to help in anti-laundering efforts; INTERNATIONAL: New guidelines for correspondent banks; REGIONAL: In the footsteps of their fathers; and PERU: Laundered money is about $550 Million.

CHILE: Pinochle's Family Implicated; COLOMBIA: New Rules to Avoid Laundering; INTERNATIONAL: Correspondent Banking On the Spot (Again); PARAGUAY: The Dubious Honor of Being “Debarred”; PERU; Money Laundering and the Presidential Election Campaign; and VENEZUELA: New Regulation for the Stock Exchange

ARGENTINA: Corruption Grows, Prevention Low; CHILE: Chasing Pinochle's Funds; PERU: Corruption, Another Contender in Elections; Despite everything, Flores puts Woodman on her ticket; Banca Intesa Sells Wiese.

CHILE: Pinochet Investigation Goes to Panama; GUATEMALA: Guatemalan Customs Heir Arrested; and PERU: “Fuji” Arrested in Chile.