In Latin America, where democracies are still transitioning between consolidation and fragility, money in politics is not only a tool for participation, but also a gateway for illicit interests. Election campaigns have become prime venues for money laundering, which not only erodes the legitimacy of elections, but also distorts competition, captures institutions, and perverts the will of the people. The challenge of ensuring that political power is not bought with dirty money represents a democratic urgency for the entire continent.