'There was no other way and there still isn't': 'El Chapo' Guzman defends his role in the drug trade in exclusive interview

In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone published on Saturday night, recently recaptured kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán described to American actor Sean Penn his worldview and, in a video interview, defended his role in the international drug trade.

"... From the age of 15 and on, where I'm from ... In that area, and up until today, there are no job opportunities," Guzmán said in a clip of the interview posted with the story.

A video clip of what Penn describes as "the first interview El Chapo had ever granted outside an interrogation room," can be seen below, with a visibly relaxed Guzmán sitting near a pickup truck on a ranch, responding to questions calmly, as roosters crow in the background.

Guzmán's interview with Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo was reportedly conducted in person in October, with follow-ups by phone and messenger over the following weeks. 

NOW WATCH: Here's footage of El Chapo being escorted on a plane after being recaptured

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