Mexican Official: Sean Penn Led Us To Drug Lord "El Chapo"
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MEXICO CITY (CBSMiami) -- New details are emerging about actor Sean Penn's interview with drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman for Rolling Stone magazine.
For the first time, the world is hearing from the drug kingpin himself.
"Look all I do is defend myself. Nothing more. But do I go out looking for trouble? Never," said Guzman in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
Days after he was captured by Mexican officials following his second escape from prison in July, authorities are now turning their interest to Sean Penn.
Mexican officials want to question Penn over a reported secret meeting with Guzman.
On Saturday, Rolling Stone published an article on their website written by Penn featuring an interview done via video messaging with the drug lord.
El Chapo speaks: Sean Penn recounts his secret visit with the most wanted man in the world https://t.co/F4x6x8ANBd pic.twitter.com/8wDb2I6Xkt
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 10, 2016
In a series of a simple question-and-answer format, Penn and Guzman chatted about things like childhood, drugs, violence and terrorism.
When asked how he got into the drug business, Guzman said:
"Well from the age of 15 and on, where I'm from which is the municipality of Badiraguato, I was raised on a ranch called La Tuna. In that area, and up until today, there are no job opportunities."
According to the article, Penn met Guzman in person back in October, and during the sit-down, the drug lord agreed to a later interview.
The meeting was reportedly brokered by Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo who is said to have been friends with Guzman for several years.
In his piece, Penn repeatedly pushed Guzman about his alleged drug trade, asking him if he considers himself responsible for the high level of drug addiction around the world.
"No, that's false, because the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? That's false," said Guzman.
Guzman was recaptured early Friday when Mexican forces raided a home in the coastal city of Los Mochis. Five of El Chapo's people were killed in a shootout, six others were arrested.
El Chapo was captured later at a nearby motel.
Also in the article, Penn wrote that Guzman was interested in having a movie filmed about his life -- an extravagant one he acquired as the head of the world's biggest drug trafficking organization.
It was a lifestyle El Chapo was quick to rationalize.
"Well it's a reality that drugs destroy. Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isn't a way to survive, no other way in our economy to make a living," said Guzman.