Poncho Herrera revives El Chapo's capture in new Netflix film

The capture of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán on January 8, 2016, in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, was a significant victory against drug trafficking in Mexico. This event now forms the basis of the Netflix film "La Captura."

Poncho Herrera and Noé Hernández star as the federal police officers who made the arrest. Herrera, portraying officer Arturo Carmona, noted that while the film celebrates these "unsung heroes," it does not ignore the systemic failures within Mexican institutions. "We cannot cover the sun with a finger and pretend we live in a space, in a place where the country's security situation is complex," Herrera told EL UNIVERSAL.

Herrera explained that the officers were on a routine patrol when they encountered a stolen car, leading to the "rifa del tigre", a stroke of extreme luck and danger, and Guzmán's apprehension. The film delves into the hours following the arrest, depicting the tense situation with Guzmán and his associate inside the patrol car. Director Chava Cartas's film, set to premiere on Netflix on January 21, highlights the officers' personal struggles, including Carmona's post-traumatic stress disorder from a previous incident where he had to shoot a minor.

The narrative underscores the pervasive fear and mistrust in Sinaloa, a state rife with informants and compromised security forces. Herrera pointed out that the film, while not directly addressing national leaders, captures the "little trust" the officers had in their own institutions due to the corruption affecting federal, state, and municipal police, as well as the navy and army at the time. The script draws from real documentation, including two chronicles by Héctor De Mauleón published in EL UNIVERSAL, which underscore the importance of honoring individuals who succeed despite institutional shortcomings.