Under the Feet of Jesus

Alejo is Estrella's friend and love interest. Alejo dreams of returning to school to study geology and encourages Estrella to think beyond work in the fields. He is poisoned with pesticides and ends the novel in the hospital.

Gumecindo is Alejo's cousin, who spends much of the novel afraid of La Llorona, a Hispanic mythological figure who kidnaps children. Gumecindo proves unable to handle his cousin's poisoning and subsequent illness. He leaves Alejo in Petra's care.