The arrest of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, leader of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel and legendary fugitive, was front-page news in January, not to mention having a heavy presence on social media. But what makes El Chapo so popular? Why does a simple Google search for Guzman return over 1 million pieces of news and information?
"The fascination with el Chapo occurs because the world needs a leader, " explained Sergio Quesada, anthropologist and coordinator of The Latin American and Caribbean Studies program at the University of Georgia.
According to Quesada, Guzman fills a void that Mexican politicians have been unable to fill. Examples of the cartel leader's large persona are his generosity toward those who work for him, the schools he finances and the teams of medical professionals who visit places that even the country's army does not.
In his hometown, he's a type of Robin Hood. He plays an important role that the government does not, "especially in the help he provides to the poor, " added Quesada.
Upon news of Guzman's capture, many on social media even expressed sadness.
"El Chapo is good, he isn't everything the government says about him. He is hard-working and he doesn't hurt anybody," added Isidro Velasquez, in a comment left on Mundo Hispanico's Facebook page.
Perhaps this attraction fueled the recent surge of TV series about drug cartels and traffickers? National TV networks such as Telemundo, Univision and USA Network have gotten in on the trend. Last year Netflix debuted a series called "Narcos, " which chronicles the life of cocaine traffickers throughout the world and the exploits of law enforcement agencies who try to thwart them.
I must confess that it is easy to admire the protagonists who, with their charisma, cleverness and intelligence, manage to conquer the world of narcotics. Upon viewing "El Patron del Mal, " a depiction of Pablo Escobar, I, like so many others, was amazed with the character. The more they drew me in, however, the more criticism I received from my husband, who, like many other Colombians, opposed the series because of its heroic portrayal of a man who caused so much terror, pain and death in his country.
"La Reina del Sur" on Netflix stars Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo. It chronicles the rise of Teresa Mendoza, a young Mexican woman who becomes the most powerful drug trafficker in southern Spain. In a strange moment of life imitating art, tweets from Del Castillo about El Chapo led to Guzman reaching out to her, sending flowers and setting up a meeting between the fugitive and actor Sean Penn.
What is clear is that the life of drug traffickers is in style, and the world is fascinated by its stories.
"May he escape and we make him president of Mexico, " said Angel Lopez, via Facebook.
About the Author
