Guzman-Penn meeting brokered by Mexican actress

Rolling Stone magazine reports that the meeting between drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and U.S. actor Sean Penn was brokered by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo.

The magazine's website has a two-minute video it says is the first ever exclusive interview with Guzman. It is in Spanish and in it Guzman sits in front of a chain link face and speaks to a camera. He is wearing a print blue shirt and dark baseball cap, but his face is clearly visible. Accompanying the article is a picture of Penn shaking hands with Guzman.

In the interview, when asked about whether he is responsible for the high level of drug addiction in the world Guzman responds: "No, that is false, because the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? That's false."

Rolling Stone magazine is reporting that Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman met with U.S. Sean Penn in his hideout in Mexico months before his recapture by Mexican marines in his home state of Sinaloa.

In an article published late Saturday in the magazine, and authored by Penn, the actor describes the complicated measures he took to meet the legendary drug lord. He discusses topics ranging from drug trafficking to Middle East politics with Guzman.

The article follows reports that Guzman had reached out to Hollywood about filming a biopic of his life.

- AP