Puerto Rico Country Summary
Medium-Low Risk
View full Ratings TableSanctions
Lower Concern
FATF AML Deficient List
Lower Concern
Terrorism
Lower Concern
Corruption
Medium Concern
US State ML Assessment
Medium Concern
Criminal Markets (GI Index)
Medium Concern
EU Tax Blacklist
Lower Concern
Offshore Finance Center
Lower Concern
Please note that although the below Summary will give a general outline of the AML risks associated with the jurisdiction, if you are a Regulated entity then you may need to demonstrate that your Jurisdictional AML risk assessment has included a full assessment of the risk elements that have been identified as underpinning overall Country AML risk. To satisfy these requirements, we would recommend that you use our Subscription area.
If you would like a demo of our Subscription area, please reserve a day/time that suits you best using this link, or you may Contact Us for further information.
Anti Money Laundering
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. As such, we are including the information for the United States below:
FATF Status
The U.S.A. is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies
Compliance with FATF Recommendations
The latest follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in the USA was undertaken by in 2024. According to that Evaluation, the USA was deemed Compliant for 9 and Largely Compliant for 23 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly Effective for 4 and Substantially Effective for 4 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.
Sanctions
There are currently no international sanctions in force against Puerto Rico.
Criminality
Rating |
0 (bad) - 100 (good) |
|---|---|
| Transparency International Corruption Index | 65 |
| World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank | 83 |
Puerto Rico, as a territory of the United States, faces significant challenges related to crime and corruption, particularly in areas such as drug trafficking and human smuggling, which are influenced by both local and international criminal networks. Despite these issues, there are ongoing efforts to enhance resilience against crime through robust legal frameworks, international cooperation, and support programs for victims, although concerns about public trust in law enforcement and political polarization remain prevalent.
Economy
Puerto Rico's economy is characterized as high-income, with key sectors including manufacturing—particularly pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and electronics—and services such as tourism. Despite its developed status, the island grapples with economic challenges, including a prolonged recession, high public debt, and the lingering effects of natural disasters like Hurricane Maria, which have exacerbated poverty levels and economic instability. The investment climate is shaped by its U.S. territory status, offering access to U.S. markets and federal funding, yet bureaucratic hurdles and economic risks continue to deter potential investors, prompting government efforts to stabilize the economy and enhance investment attractiveness through tax incentives and infrastructure improvements.
Subscribe to
Professional Plus
- Unlimited Access to full Risk Reports
- Full Dataset Download
- API Access
- Virtual Asset Risk Assessments
