Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

El Chapo wanted to direct film about his own life, witness says

Alex Cifuentes, Guzman's self-described one-time 'right-hand man', says the accused drug lord 'loved the idea' of directing a movie about his own life

Clémence Michallon
New York
Tuesday 15 January 2019 21:32 GMT
Accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and Defense attorney A. Eduardo Balarezo (left) are seen during Guzman's trial, in this courtroom sketch in Brooklyn federal court in New York, US, 3 January, 2019.
Accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and Defense attorney A. Eduardo Balarezo (left) are seen during Guzman's trial, in this courtroom sketch in Brooklyn federal court in New York, US, 3 January, 2019. (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman dreamed of directing his own biopic before his capture, according to a trial witness.

Alex Cifuentes, the accused drug lord’s self-described one-time “right-hand man”, made the revelation in Brooklyn federal court on Monday.

Cifuentez said he learned about a planned movie project while living with Guzman in the mountains of his boss’ home state of Sinaloa, Mexico, from 2007 to 2009.

Guzman was interested in directing a movie about his life story as early as 2007, jurors heard on Monday.

That was long before Guzman's well-known meeting with US actor Sean Penn and Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo in 2015.

Cifuentes told jurors his own wife came up with the idea for a biopic, the New York Post reported.

“He loved the idea!” Cifuentes said about Guzman, according to the newspaper.

It was revealed in January 2016 that Guzman had met with Penn and Del Castillo for an interview.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Guzman had been arrested just a couple of days prior.

Additional reporting by agencies.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in