Sean Penn on back foot after shaking hands with Mexican drug kingpin
Hollywood actor Sean Penn has sought to defend his decision to interview Mexico’s most wanted fugitive, drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, for Rolling Stone magazine amidst sharp criticism of his actions.
News of the meeting came to light following Guzman’s arrest on Friday, with Mexican authorities claiming that Penn’s rendezvous provided crucial intelligence as to his whereabouts.
Responding to an Associated Press query asking if he was concerned about the publication of images purporting to show Mexican officials observing him during his visit Penn said: “I’ve got nothin’ to hide.”
Pressed as to whether he should have let Guzman read the story in advance or had done enough to protect his source the actor remained silent.
Mexican officials are remaining tight-lipped over whether they will launch their own investigation into Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who helped arrange the interview.
El Chapo has now been returned to the maximum security Altipano prison from where he escaped six months ago awaiting possible extradition to the US.