The recent revelations surrounding the capture attempt of Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán have unveiled significant layers of international cooperation and unexpected interventions. According to a new documentary, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States played a pivotal role in halting an operation aimed at capturing the notorious drug lord, specifically due to the involvement of actor Sean Penn and actress Kate del Castillo who were pursuing an interview with him.
As Del Castillo and Penn made their way into the mountains to find Guzmán, intelligence agents were closely monitoring their movements with the assistance of drones provided by the CIA. This state-of-the-art surveillance technology allowed for real-time tracking as they approached Guzmán’s hideout, which had been a part of extensive preparatory efforts to apprehend the Sinaloa Cartel leader.
In the documentary titled 'Operación Cisne Negro', a federal intelligence agent who chose to remain anonymous outlined that the operation was abruptly called off upon the CIA's directive. The agent reported, “We were told by CIA agents that we could not continue with the operation because Sean Penn was involved.” This revelation sheds light on the complexities involved in international law enforcement operations, particularly when American citizens are implicated.
Before the operation, Mexican authorities had made several attempts to arrest Guzmán following his escape from the Altiplano Federal Penal, where he had previously been incarcerated until July 2015. The documentary illustrates how intelligence efforts from the United States were crucial in locating Guzmán, with former Interior Minister Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong confirming, “There was cooperation from the United States; they helped us a lot with information.”
Through this cooperative effort, the CIA supplied advanced drone technology, specifically the Predator drones, renowned for their effectiveness in conflict zones. These drones provided critical intelligence, allowing Mexican authorities to monitor Guzmán’s whereabouts without detection. "They were drones like those that fly over the Middle East. They provided us with real-time images of El Chapo's location," the anonymous intelligence agent noted.
The involvement of Penn and Del Castillo stemmed from Del Castillo's previous interactions with Guzmán, which began after she publicly expressed support for him in a social media post. This led to Guzmán reaching out to her, proposing a project that would portray his life story. Del Castillo eventually met with Guzmán’s lawyers while he was still imprisoned, which set the stage for the eventual interview that would also include Penn.
Del Castillo recounted her experience in an interview with Yordi Rosado, where she explained how her post on X (formerly Twitter) expressing belief in Guzmán over government officials sparked a connection. She said, “I said, ‘I believe more in someone like Chapo Guzmán than in our rulers,’ something like that. I don’t remember exactly what I said.” This was a catalyst for Guzmán to contact her directly.
Upon receiving an invitation from Guzmán for a face-to-face meeting, Del Castillo thought that the project might not happen after his escape; however, she later coordinated the interview, which would include Penn, an American citizen. Del Castillo believed that their interactions were discreet and unmonitored, but intelligence agents were keeping a close watch. “We detected that they would arrive on October 2nd on a flight to Guadalajara. We provided them with expedited immigration clearance and monitored their activities minute by minute,” the agent confirmed.
As the operation progressed, reports indicate that the visit from the famous personalities confirmed Guzmán’s location in one of the monitored houses. However, the CIA’s intervention caused a significant delay. An agent recounted, “At some point during the operation, we contacted the CIA, and they informed us that it could not continue because Sean Penn was involved.”
This request was corroborated by Osorio Chong, who stated, “They asked us not to intervene, as we would be putting their two American citizens at risk,” referring to Del Castillo, who holds dual citizenship. Samuel Adam, who serves as the head of information for the documentary series, elaborated that the CIA decided to withhold further intelligence and drone footage from the Mexican authorities. He explained, “They said, ‘We cannot continue sharing information because our citizens are at risk.’” This action effectively stalled the operation, with authorities missing their opportunity to capture Guzmán at that time.
The eventual capture of El Chapo occurred on January 8, 2016, in Los Mochis, Mexico, following a series of extensive manhunts. The intricate dynamics of this operation, including the actions of the CIA and the involvement of Hollywood figures, are examined in detail in the documentary 'Operación Cisne Negro', which is currently available for streaming on ViX.
These events highlight not only the challenges faced by authorities in bringing down major drug traffickers but also the complex interplay between intelligence agencies and their directives, especially when American citizens are involved in sensitive operations abroad. The ramifications of this intervention have sparked discussions regarding the ethical considerations of cross-border operations and the safety of individuals drawn into such dangerous circumstances.
Source: El Financiero