The Interpol Silver Alert was activated to track potential assets abroad linked to those responsible for the República Ganadera case. According to victim representatives after meeting with the Economic Crimes Prosecutor's Office, the tool aims to detect companies, accounts, and assets in countries that have signed up for international cooperation.
Attorney Juan Pablo Decia explained that the Interpol Silver Alert allows for the channeling of reports from foreign jurisdictions regarding ownership of assets and corporate structures that may be outside the local jurisdiction's reach. He stated that the measure is positive, although—in his opinion—it was adopted late in relation to the investigation.
According to their reconstruction, the República Ganadera case began in November 2024. Since then, movement restrictions, passport issuance, and border closures have been implemented for the defendants, along with statements taken in July. For the complainant, an earlier push in the asset search was lacking.
The victims' claim includes data already included in the file: an inventory from the receivership at the bankruptcy court and a rural audit report detailing stock and shortages. According to this documentation, the declared liability is around $98 million. The verified livestock assets are estimated at approximately $13 million, below the amount stipulated in the contract.
Interpol Silver Alert: Scope and Coordination
The Interpol Silver Alert is structured with official letters and requests for information from countries with existing agreements. Operationally, the aim is to identify accounts, companies, and ownership of registrable assets, and thus outline routes for future precautionary measures, if appropriate. The Prosecutor's Office is coordinating with national and foreign agencies to standardize responses.
The plaintiffs' team insists that speed is key. When there is potential asset mobility, every week counts. Therefore, they are calling for prioritizing asset traceability, cross-checking financial information, and, if appropriate, expanding the requirements to jurisdictions where there are signs of corporate activity.
Recent timeline and next steps
The sequence described by the parties includes immigration control actions at the end of 2024, statements taken in July, and now the Interpol Silver Alert . The expectation is that international reports will allow for the mapping of undeclared assets and, based on that, adopt measures to safeguard eventual recovery for creditors.
In parallel, investigations are ongoing into commercial documentation, contracts, and merchandise flows. The technical discussion involves verifying discrepancies between assumed obligations and actual assets, in addition to analyzing potential maneuvers that constitute economic crimes. No definitive results have been communicated at the time of writing.
For those affected, the progress of the case has a direct impact on their money and their ability to meet commitments. Several complainants report that, with no signs of recovery, it is difficult to make ends meet or maintain their own jobs linked to the livestock chain. They are asking for clear information realistic deadlines
In short, the Interpol Silver Alert adds a channel for international cooperation that can accelerate responses to assets outside the country. The point of tension lies in timing: the victims' defense team believes the instrument should have been activated sooner to increase the chances of finding assets.
Suggested internal link: Guide on economic crimes and asset traceability in Uruguay.
Link: Attorney General's Office – Economic Crimes → https://www.fiscalia.gub.uy/
Interpol Silver Alert: Expected report and possible consequences
The Interpol Silver Alert may generate a series of responses: confirmation of ownership, location of registrable assets, and potential inconsistencies between declarations and detected assets. With this information, the Economic Crimes Prosecutor's Office will assess whether to request precautionary measures in Uruguay or pursue them through international cooperation. It is also planned to cross-reference data with the bankruptcy trusteeship and audits already included in the file to determine amounts, responsible parties, and asset traceability.
At the same time, the defenses may present defenses or documentation proving legal origin, corporate structure, or prior transactions. The objective, according to sources involved in the case, is to have a verifiable asset map before defining new procedural steps. An Interpol Silver Alert does not, in itself, imply a seizure, but it mandates a search and improves the chances of recovering assets if foreign reports confirm relevant findings.
