Uruguay has historically been a preferred laundering ground for Mexican criminal groups, a trend extending back to the 1990s with figures like Amado Carrillo Fuentes establishing Southern Cone footholds. The preference for Uruguay and broader Cono Sur jurisdictions by CJNG’s financial operators is attributed to relative regional vulnerabilities and a traditionally lenient enforcement environment. Despite recent advances, including a strengthened anti-money laundering legislative package approved by the Uruguayan Chamber of Deputies that introduces new offenses related to cybercrime and investment scams, experts acknowledge the system remains fragile and subject to institutional design challenges.
The broader CJNG network utilized similar laundering methods in Argentina and Brazil. Notably, Argentine investigations revealed CJNG’s 2009 incursions into Buenos Aires, marked by property rentals and attempts to establish retail operations as fronts. Having fled Argentina, associates resettled in Uruguay until law enforcement dismantled their presence. The arrest in 2023 of an Argentine businessman linked to CJNG money laundering in Punta del Este further illustrates the cartel’s expansive regional financial footprint.
The Uruguayan government is actively monitoring nationals residing in Mexican regions destabilized by post-El Mencho violence, reflecting growing bilateral security concerns. While legislative reforms enhance enforcement capacities, continuous vigilance and international cooperation remain critical to disrupting entrenched CJNG laundering ecosystems in the Southern Cone.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
