A new Netflix film titled *Facing El Chapo* delves into the life and numerous criminal activities of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, a man who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most notorious drug lords in history. The film focuses particularly on Guzmán’s imprisonment and subsequent escape on July 10, 1993, as well as his eventual recapture in January 2016 following a series of dramatic events.
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Born on April 4, 1957, in the rural village of La Tuna Badiraguato, Mexico, Guzmán experienced a challenging childhood. Reports indicate that he was expelled from his family home at a young age, and he took to selling oranges on the streets to survive. He dropped out of school early, which deprived him of a formal education. His moniker, “El Chapo,” meaning “shorty,” is a nod to his stature of 5’6”.
Guzmán’s foray into the drug trade is said to have begun under the tutelage of a senior associate of Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, a prominent figure in Mexico’s drug trafficking landscape. It is believed that he had connections to the drug trade before this, as his father was known to cultivate poppy plants for opium. By the late 1980s, Guzmán had established his own organisation, the Sinaloa Cartel, which would go on to become one of the largest drug trafficking enterprises globally.
Under Guzmán’s leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel expanded its operations, becoming a dominant force in the distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine across more than 20 countries. His violent reign included high-profile murders, such as the assassination of six individuals associated with a rival cartel in 1992. This escalating violence culminated in several near-death experiences, including an assassination attempt that inadvertently claimed the life of a Catholic cardinal.
Guzmán’s criminal activities caught up with him in 1993 when he was apprehended in Guatemala and later extradited to Mexico to serve a minimum of 20 years. However, his imprisonment did not halt his control over the cartel. In January 2001, he made a remarkable escape from the maximum-security Puente Grande prison, allegedly using $2.5 million in bribes to facilitate his exit in a laundry cart.
Despite being recaptured in February 2014, Guzmán gave authorities another surprise by escaping again from Altiplano Federal Prison in July 2015. This time, his escape involved crawling through a tunnel dug beneath the prison, which extended nearly a mile and ended in a house outside. His audacity was underscored by remarks he made during an interview with actor Sean Penn while he was on the run; he claimed to be the world’s largest supplier of various drugs.
Guzmán was eventually apprehended again in January 2016 in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Extradited to the United States, he faced multiple charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering. The case against him was bolstered by testimonies from former cartel members who agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities. Notably, twin brothers Pedro and Margarito Flores, who had trafficked drugs for Guzmán, provided crucial insights during the trial.
In February 2019, Guzmán was found guilty on all 10 federal counts and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. He is currently incarcerated in ADX Florence, a supermax facility in Colorado known for its stringent security measures. Cells are constructed from poured concrete, minimising the chances of escape, and inmates spend up to 23 hours a day in their cells.
While Guzmán serves his sentence, significant developments continue to unfold around his family. In September 2023, his wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, was released from prison after serving a three-year sentence related to her involvement in Guzmán’s drug operations. Meanwhile, Guzmán’s criminal legacy appears to live on through his children, as the U.S. Treasury Department issued sanctions against two of his sons in June 2025, identifying them as leaders of one of the cartel factions.
The intricate history of El Chapo Guzmán is still being unraveled, and *Facing El Chapo* adds a dramatic lens to his high-stakes life, leaving viewers both intrigued and horrified by the implications of his actions on society.