Netflix's new crime thriller, "Facing El Chapo," offers a dramatized account of true events surrounding the final hours of a shift for two Mexican officers who cross paths with a ruthless cartel boss. The film, which became available on the streamer on Friday, August 21, centers on Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel.
True Events Behind the Drama
"Facing El Chapo" is described by the streamer as a "crime drama based on true events." According to SoapCentral.com, the movie focuses on Guzmán's 2016 recapture, though it is presented as a dramatization. The film follows officers, including Arturo Carmona, portrayed by Alfonso Herrera, as they navigate a dangerous situation.
El Chapo's Capture and Conviction
Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán has been apprehended, though his path to incarceration involved multiple escapes. He was first arrested in Guatemala in 1993 and extradited to Mexico, where he received a 20-year sentence. In 2001, Guzmán escaped from the Puente Grande maximum-security prison. He was recaptured in 2014, only to escape again in 2015. His final capture occurred in 2016.
In 2017, Guzmán was extradited to the United States. He was subsequently convicted on all federal counts against him, leading to a sentence of life imprisonment plus 30 years.
Current Location
As of reporting, "El Chapo" is serving his life sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility, also known as ADX Florence, a maximum-security prison located in Florence, Colorado. "Facing El Chapo" is currently streaming on Netflix.