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Sean Penn Secretly Interviewed Drug Lord 'El Chapo' Before His Capture (Video)

by Gillian Fuller

By now, you've undoubtedly read about Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera's recapture by the Mexican government. the notorious drug lord has dominated news headlines for the past couple of days.

The notorious drug lord has dominated news headlines for the past couple of years for his horrific crimes and ridiculous escapes from prison.

Despite this, few of us know much about him. Yes, we know he's the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, and yes, we know his empire is even bigger than Pablo Escobar's was. But him, as a person? That remains a mystery.

During the fall, while El Chapo was still “on the lam,” as they say, actor and writer Sean Penn was granted an in-person interview with the elusive drug lord. He learned about El Chapo's childhood, his goals, his beliefs — about the person behind the legend.

The full article, published yesterday in Rolling Stone, provides a fascinating, in-depth look at not only El Chapo, but also a loo at the drug war in general. It's a long piece, for sure, but absolutely worth a read.

See a short segment from the interview, below, and head to Rolling Stone to read the article in full.

Citations: El Chapo Speaks (Rolling Stone)