I read the article ‘Sean Penn: El Chapo visit was intended to highlight US war on drugs’ (January 15).

I don’t believe actor Penn’s explanation for one second. The actor must have had close ties (or friends of friends) who delved into the seedy Mexican mafia underworld to find, court and arrange a meeting with the infamous Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

Granted, the so-called interview may have boosted readership of the magazine Rolling Stone and the viewership of 60 Minutes. But it proved that there was hidden influence behind the scenes for such a meeting to occur.

Furthermore, there have been photographs showing the Mexican drug kingpin shaking hands with Penn. It’s one thing to do a documentary but it would seem as though both men have powerful personal egos.

While I am happy that El Chapo has been captured, it is a little disturbing that it took a ‘celebrity’ to help lure him out so law enforcement could catch him. It was almost as if law enforcement had no intelligence of their own.

I simply don’t believe Penn when he says his project was a failure or that he has regrets. El Chapo has been accused of murder, money laundering, organised crime, drug trafficking and other crimes. He has fathered at least 11 children by at least four women. He is not the average criminal who simply delved into drugs. Penn claimed his “interview” was meant to spotlight the US war on drugs, yet he shook hands with not only a drug cartel leader but one of the world’s most wanted criminals.

I believe Penn should be investigated further as to how the meeting with El Chapo took place. It is not plausible that arrangements were made quick and easy but involved planning. The whole world deserves to know the particulars in detail.