2 weeks ago
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Prime Minister John Briceno has extended his appreciation to outgoing Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Director, Leni Ysaguirre McGann, acknowledging her contributions to the agency’s work. His remarks follow the government’s announcement of a new director just one day earlier. In a statement issued yesterday, the government noted that the leadership change comes as the FIU prepares for a critical international evaluation. The Prime Minister emphasized that McGann’s departure was a personal decision.
John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Well, I’d like to thank Ms.Ysaguirre, Leni. I think she came in at a critical time. She came in and she did an exceedingly good job at Financial Services Commission the IFC and it is because of her leadership that we managed to go to the Caribbean Financial Action Tasks meetings I think it was earlier this year and where I think we were one of maybe 20 countries in the world that got full compliance and it’s because of her leadership. Unfortunately, she decided that now it’s time for her to move on and and it’s a loss to us, but I understand. Now we were getting Ms. Gardner. I know Ms. Gardner well. We went to school together. She has extensive experience at the Central Bank. She was the deputy governor of the Central Bank and has now retired. And now that we’re looking for another person we felt that she was the appropriate person who have already experienced some of this work to come in and to take over from where nowhere Leni is now living.”
McGann began her tenure at the FIU in 2013 as Legal Advisor, later becoming Deputy Director in 2017 and assuming the role of Director in 2023. Over the years, she played a pivotal role in strengthening Belize’s anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism framework, prosecuting breaches of the law, and representing the country in high-level international forums. Notably, she led the FIU through the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s 4th Round Mutual Evaluation, earning Belize recognition as one of the world’s top performers in technical compliance and effectiveness. Marilyn Gardiner-Usher has been appointed as the new Director, effective August 4. She reportedly brings extensive experience in financial intelligence, anti-money laundering, and regulatory compliance.
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