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No one can believe that actor Sean Penn secretly interviewed El Chapo in the Mexican jungle

Drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman was one of the most wanted men in the world until he was recaptured on Friday.

The feared head of the Sinaloa cartel, thought to be the most powerful druglord in the world, broke out of jail in July 2015 through a mile long tunnel that led straight to the floor of his cell.

But in news that confused everyone, the reason he was caught was because he gave a interview to Hollywood actor Sean Penn, who travelled to the Mexican jungle to meet him.

Penn purportedly met with Guzman in October 2015 at an undisclosed location, which a government spokesperson said helped authorities locate his whereabouts.

Which led to a lot collective internet head-scratching.

The interview appeared on Rolling Stone's website as an article headlined 'El Chapo Speaks' on Saturday.

Penn writes that he sat down with Guzman for seven hours, and the druglord told him he was interested in having a movie filmed about his life.

Penn writes Guzman wanted Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the meeting, involved in the project.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," Penn says.

When asked 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. Do I start trouble? Never.

Joaquin Guzman is escorted by soldiers and marines at a federal hangar in Mexico City on Friday January 8, 2016 (AP)

In the article Penn says of his motives for meeting el Chapo:

As an American citizen, I'm drawn to explore what may be inconsistent with the portrayals our government and media brand upon their declared enemies. Not since Osama bin Laden has the pursuit of a fugitive so occupied the public imagination.

Guzman was arrested after a shootout that killed five people, and will be returned to the maximum security prison from which he escaped.

Previously Mexican authorities had said he would not be extradited to stand trial in the US, but it is understood that this time around the extradition process has already begun.

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