El Chapo taken down by the1 thing that has felled men since the dawn of time

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“What’s the name of this actor again?” he asked his lawyer when a Mexican television star contacted him about doing an interview with Mr. Penn.

But a series of private cellphone messages leaked in the Mexican news media on Wednesday show that it was the television star, Kate del Castillo, who truly attracted Mr. Guzmán’s attention.

The messages, first reported by the newspaper Milenio, were obtained by Mexican authorities who were monitoring the actress and her contacts with Mr. Guzmán and his associate during the period after the cartel leader broke out of a supposedly escape-proof prison through a tunnel burrowed into his shower.

Mr. Guzmán had as far back as 2014 made efforts to reach Ms. del Castillo, but it wasn’t until shortly before his escape that a relationship began.

Ranging from the logistics for their meeting with Mr. Penn, to happy birthday wishes and details of the progress of Ms. del Castillo’s efforts to produce a film about Mr. Guzmán, the conversation displays mutual trust and gratitude.

“I have no way to repay what you are doing for me and my kids,” Mr. Guzmán said.

He calls Ms. del Castillo “the kindest and smartest woman in the world,” whom he “greatly admires,” adopting a formal tone despite the casual format of messaging.

Ms. del Castillo expresses her affection for Mr. Guzmán, calling him a “beautiful friend” and constantly thanking him for his unfailing trust

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