The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime sadly announces the passing of Jorge Chabat.

Chabat was a Mexican security expert and a Global Initiative Network member. He passed away unexpectedly in Guadalajara, his home town, on 26 June 2022.

A renowned academic, Chabat was a professor at the University of Guadalajara and  professor at the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics, Mexico City, from 1983 to 2018. He was a pioneer in security studies in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America.

During his teaching career he nurtured analytical capabilities among generations of students, always in a thoughtful learning environment.

Chabat contributed extensively to journals and publications on Mexican foreign policy, US–Mexican relations and drug trafficking. He authored several books and contributed to journals, including Current History, Journal of InterAmerican Studies, World Affairs, and the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science.

Several tributes were paid to him on Twitter:

‘Rest in Peace, Jorge Chabat, a fine scholar of international relations, organized crime and Mexican politics, and a warm, open and generous spirit.’ – Ioan Grillo, New York Times journalist  

‘The death of Professor Jorge Chabat is a huge loss – he was a great scholar of citizen security and the politics of organized crime, but also a great human being with an always ready smile and a very dry sense of humor. May his legacy live on through all of us who knew him.’ – Dr Andrew Selee, President of the Migration Policy Institute

‘Lamento el fallecimiento de Jorge Chabat, mis condolencias a familiares y amigos. Descanse en paz.’ (I am saddened to hear of the passing of Jorge Chabat. My condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.) – Marcelo Ebrard, former Head of Government of Mexico City, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico

Chabat was one of the first members of the Global Initiative Network of Experts, and shared his thoughts with us in September 2014 about the risk posed by organized crime to society, and his vision for change. He believed that the main challenge is to restore the rule of law and, for that, he firmly believed we need strong institutions as a key pillar in the fight against organized crime.

Mark Shaw, director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said:

‘On behalf of all members of the Global Initiative Board, Network and Secretariat, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Jorge’s family and friends. I speak for all of us when I say it is with great regret that we learnt of his death. Jorge Chabat was a gentleman, and he will be sadly missed. The Global Initiative and its Network of Experts will strive to keep the memory of his dedicated commitment alive.’

Photo: Eduardo Miranda