Malverde: de Santo familiar a protector de narcotraficantes

This article is an overview of the evolution of legendary popular heroe "Jesús Malverde" in Mexican drama at the turn of the 21^st century. It focuses on the plays El jinete de la divina providencia by Óscar Liera and Malverde, día de la Santa Cruz by Alejandro Román. Through dramatic analysis and a discussion of the critical reception of both plays this article provides insight into the reshaping of the character's social role, from vindicator of the oppressed class to protector of drug smugglers, amidst the social and political environment of the Mexican city of Culiacán, as well as in the rest of the country. The essay also uses the concept narratheme to portray the configuration of a dramatic chronicle in violent times. (APZ, Article in Spanish)