Sean Penn and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman met secretly for an interview last October leading to the arrest of the drug kingpin as their meetings were closely monitored by Mexican officials. In a recent statement, the lawyer of El Chapo claims that the statements of the actor are stupid and false.
Variety reported that a member of Guzman's legal team, Juan Pablo Badillo, said in an interview on Wednesday that "It's a lie, absurd speculation from Mr. Penn. In a way, yes, it does complicate it (his defense). Mr. Penn should be called to testify to respond about the stupidities he has said." Badillo added that working with Guzman for years made him believe that his client will never make self-incriminating statements to Penn.
Guzman has been on the run for almost six months after he successfully escaped from Mexico's most secured prison. He was recaptured on Friday.
A day after, Penn's interview with the drug lord was released by Rolling stone magazine. Accordingly, Guzman reached out to producers and actors as he allegedly wanted to make a film about his life, The Hollywood Reporter shared.
In an excerpt from the Rolling Stones piece, Penn quoted Guzman stating: "I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats." Badillo claims that this quotation is falsified noting that his client will never make such claims. He also asked if Penn has proof or any audio recordings to prove that Guzman stated such, My News LA reported.
It was earlier speculated that Penn might be incriminated for his meetings with Guzman and having an interview with a wanted fugitive. However, Mexican authorities claimed earlier this week that they are not directly investigating Penn but the whole situation. Mexican actress Kate del Castillo is also part of the investigation as authorities are to see if the two aided Guzman in any way during their meetings.
Penn is yet to comment on the recent statements of one of Guzman's lawyers.
