<P> The series recounts the beginnings of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán in 1985, when he was a low - level member of the Guadalajara Cartel, his rise to power as head of the Sinaloa Cartel, and his downfall . </P> <P> On May 12, 2017, Univision confirmed that the series would be renewed for a second season . Season 2 premiered on September 17, 2017 . </P> <P> Netflix released the first season, comprising nine episodes, on June 16, 2017 . The second season was released on December 15, 2017 . </P> <Ul> <Li> Marco de la O as Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán </Li> <Li> Humberto Busto as Conrado Higuera Sol "Don Sol" </Li> <Li> Alejandro Aguilar as Toño </Li> <Li> Rodrigo Abed as Amado Carrillo Fuentes (alias "El Señor de los Cielos") </Li> <Li> Luis Fernando Peña as Armando "Rayo" López </Li> <Li> Juan Carlos Oliva as Héctor Luis Palma Salazar (alias "El Güero Palma") </Li> <Li> Rolf Petersen as Ramón Avendaño (a fictionalized portrayal of Ramón Arellano Félix) </Li> <Li> Carlos Hernán Romo as Benjamín Avendaño (a fictionalized portrayal of Benjamín Arellano Félix) </Li> <Li> Héctor Holten as President Carlos Salinas de Gortari </Li> <Li> Diego Vásquez as Ismael Zambada García (alias "El Mayo" and / or "Don Ismael") </Li> <Li> Teté Espinoza as Chío </Li> <Li> Luis Rábago as General Blanco </Li> <Li> Dolores Heredia as Gabriela Saavedra </Li> </Ul>

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