The Dynamics of Transnational Organized Crime and the Change of Illicit Money Flows in Latin America

• In Event: The Infiltrations of Organized Crime Groups into the Legal Economy from a Transnational Perspective

Abstract

In recent years the dynamics of transnational organized crime in Latin America has been subjected to a pattern of action-reaction between the institutions represented by law enforcement agencies and organized crime represented by organized crime cartels. On one side there have been implemented laws and regulations at different levels focalized to strengthen controls against money laundering, to contain illicit capital flows, and to deprive criminal organizations of the proceeds of their crimes. On the other side, organized crime has found mechanisms to evade those controls and move their capitals to economic activities or jurisdictions that provides more anonymity to its investments, and why not, greater profitability.

Author

• John Grajales, OAS Staff