Corruption Keeps Hold in LatAm as Governments Fight Economic Turnmoil

Latin America’s fight against corruption is losing steam thanks to the double trouble of rising inflation and the economic shock delivered by the war in Ukraine.

“Corruption has taken a back seat in the region,” stated the latest Capacity to Combat Corruption Index prepared by the America’s Society (AS) and the Council of the Americas (COA).

Topping the index is Uruguay, which is followed by Costa Rica, Chile, Peru and the Dominican Republic. At the lower rungs of the ladder are Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia and Venezuela.

Countries with the highest score, according to COA, are more likely to punish corrupt actors. Continued impunity is more likely in countries at the lower end of the scale.

Guatemala saw the sharpest decline in the index, while the Dominican Republic won applause for having leaped from the 10th place to the 5th.

According to the report, the administration of President Luis Abinader in the Dominican Republic is promoting transparency in public contracts, instituting compliance programs and simplifying bureaucracy.

Above all, citizens on the island scrutinize the government’s functioning, demanding accountability.

Curbing corruption has remained a priority for many Latin American countries like Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru, according to the report.