Introduction of the Specialized Directorate for Criminal Organizations
The creation of the new Specialized Directorate for Criminal Organizations within the Mexican Unit of Financial Intelligence (UIF) aims to bolster collaboration with other agencies involved in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. This development will also lead to increased scrutiny of vulnerable activities and participants, according to experts.
Key Figures and Their Roles
Pedro Aguilar Domínguez, president of the Technical National Committee for Fiscal Studies at the Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas (IMEF), highlighted that the new directorate will facilitate information concentration and cooperation with institutions such as the tax authority, the Secretariat of Treasury and Public Credit (SHCP), and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
“The new directorate will have a broader reach in terms of elements needed by the UIF to combat this aspect of criminal activity,” Aguilar Domínguez added.
New Directorate’s Mandate and Responsibilities
Established through a decree in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) at the end of May, the new directorate will undertake various tasks including:
- Analyzing information in reports, notices, and declarations related to individuals possibly connected with criminal organizations and high-impact crimes;
- Integrating intelligence reports;
- Requesting and gathering information, documentation, data, and images from entities and individuals engaged in vulnerable activities related to reports and notices;
- Obtaining additional information from other individuals or sources for the exercise of its authorities.
The directorate will also participate in national and international coordination mechanisms, acting as a liaison between the UIF and relevant domestic and foreign authorities, jurisdictions, instances, and international or intergovernmental organizations for the design, implementation, monitoring, and execution of strategic coordination, cooperation, or collaboration actions to prevent high-impact crimes and those related to individuals possibly connected with criminal organizations, as well as protecting the financial system and national economy.
US Influence and Increased Audits
Luis Yáñez, Legal Practice Manager at Baker Tilly México, explained that the creation of this directorate also responds to the US classification of Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, leading to anticipated increased scrutiny by the UIF under Pablo Gómez’s leadership.
“This new directorate will review new aspects of money laundering prevention, specifically related to individuals possibly connected with criminal organizations,” Yáñez clarified.
He further noted that the creation aligns with recommendations from the Group of Action on Money Laundering (GAFI), which will review Mexico this year regarding anti-money laundering and terrorism financing efforts.
“The new directorate is already an administrative area that will assist the UIF in these prevention matters, making it more structured and enabling much more intensive reviews of taxpayers,” Yáñez added.
Increased Audits Due to US Classification
Aguilar Domínguez acknowledged the rise in audits of taxpayers following US President Donald Trump’s decision to classify organized crime as terrorist organizations.
“Among the directorate’s objectives is analyzing information in reports, notices, and declarations related to individuals possibly connected with criminal organizations and high-impact crimes,” Aguilar Domínguez reiterated.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the new Specialized Directorate for Criminal Organizations? It aims to enhance collaboration with other agencies and increase scrutiny of vulnerable activities and participants in money laundering and terrorism financing.
- Who are the key figures involved in this development? Pedro Aguilar Domínguez, president of the Technical National Committee for Fiscal Studies at IMEF, and Luis Yáñez, Legal Practice Manager at Baker Tilly México.
- What are the new directorate’s main responsibilities? The directorate will analyze reports, notices, and declarations related to possible connections with criminal organizations and high-impact crimes; integrate intelligence reports; request and gather relevant information from entities and individuals; and participate in national and international coordination mechanisms.
- Why was the new directorate created? It responds to US classification of Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations and aligns with GAFI recommendations for improved anti-money laundering and terrorism financing efforts.
- How will this impact taxpayers? The new directorate will enable more intensive reviews of taxpayers, resulting in increased audits.
