The file gained notoriety on Reddit's (now banned) "WatchPeopleDie" subreddit and various imageboards. It is frequently cited as one of the most "distressing" or "cursed" videos on the internet due to the lack of a clear motive and the clinical nature of the torture. Why "Joaquin Guzman"?
This file and its contents are extremely graphic and depict real-world violence. Accessing or sharing such material may violate the terms of service of most platforms and can be psychologically distressing.
Using a high-profile name ensures the file appears in search results related to cartel news.
The "story" associated with this file isn't a narrative in the traditional sense, but rather a documented piece of cartel brutality:
Naming a file "Cartel Execution" gets it flagged and deleted instantly; naming it after a famous public figure can sometimes delay automated takedowns.
The video was reportedly filmed in a clandestine location in Mexico, likely between 2016 and 2017. It depicts members of a Mexican drug cartel (often attributed to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG) torturing a rival.
The juxtaposition of the upbeat disco track "Funkytown" playing on a radio in the background while the atrocity occurs became the defining feature of the video, leading to its "Funkytown" nickname.