BriefingThe Americas

The Legend of Jesus Malverde, Patron ‘Saint’ of Narco Traffickers, Grows in Mexico

The Legend of Jesus Malverde, Patron ‘Saint’ of Narco Traffickers, Grows in Mexico
A statue of Jesus Malverde at a shrine in Mexico City (David Agren).

MEXICO CITY -- Alejandro Ruiz Rodriguez, a Mexico City law student, lost a stack of important legal documents last year. Despite searching everywhere imaginable, they never turned up. As a last resort, he asked Jesus Malverde, an unofficial saint beloved by narcotics traffickers, for intervention. Inexplicably, the documents surfaced shortly thereafter.

"I don't know if it was just by chance or if Jesus Malverde was responsible," the 26-year-old said at a monthly gathering of Malverde adherents in Mexico City.

"Either way, I'm here every month to give thanks . . . it was absolutely miraculous."

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