Since the interview, Sean Penn is allegedly under investigation. Apparently, the Mexican government wants to speak with Sean Penn, according to NBC News. In fact, Mexican government officials say that Sean Penn’s meeting with El Chapo helped them capture the drug lord, which will probably make Sean Penn an informant.
The government official said that investigators were able to learn details about Guzman’s whereabouts by intercepting phone conversations between Sean Penn, latin TV star Kate del Castillo and the drug lord.
About the Guzman capture:
The interview between the actors and Guzman took place in October, and Guzman was recaptured Friday during an operation in Mexican town of Los Mochis. Ironically, El Chapo was transported to the same maximum security prison where he escaped from on July 11, 2015.
However, reports suggest that security at the prison will be increased and prison staff were reviewed to make sure they don’t the drug lord free again, national security and prison officials said on Sunday.
El Chapo’s extradition to the United States
Guzman is facing a ton of charges including conspiracy to import and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, homicide and possession of firearms – in six United States jurisdictions, and Mexico’s attorney general’s office said that the government is in the beginning stages of extraditing Guzman.
However, one of the lawyers representing Guzman said Sunday that he does not believe his client will be extradited to the United States, and his legal team “will present as many appeals as are needed” to prevent the transfer.
Defense attorney Juan Pablo Badillo Soto wouldn’t say that Guzman’s escape was legal, but “he was seeking freedom and “my obligation as professional is to demonstrate his innocence.”
“We would have to interpret Mexican laws which are just and wise,” Soto said, adding that Guzman was “not afraid of justice.”
“He is afraid of injustice,” Soto said.
Soto said Guzman has had about six or seven lawyers representing him, and he has personally been his lawyer through four trials, in which El Chapo was acquitted.
A United States law enforcement official told reporters that the main focus is extraditing the drug lord to the U.S. to face charges. In fact, the Department of Justice calls Sean Penn’s interview to be a “sideshow,” according to sources close to NBC News.