[7] According to a different version of the legend, after being conscripted to fight in the War of the Triple Alliance, one night Gil had a dream in which God told him not to kill innocent people.

In the 1990s, however, his cult experienced a sudden growth among the Argentine urban working classes, particularly in the Greater Buenos Aires area, where large numbers of people from the provinces had recently arrived in search of better living conditions.

[1] Since outlaw saints are usually regarded as figures of resistance to authority and champions of the underclasses, Gauchito Gil's rise in popularity can be interpreted as a reaction to the neoliberal politics of the period (see Menemism).

[1][2] The spread of the cult throughout the country was mainly the work of devout truck drivers, who were also responsible for erecting many of the numerous roadside shrines dedicated to the saint.

[8] The main sanctuary of Gauchito Gil is located about 8 km from the city of Mercedes, at the alleged site of his execution, and houses an empty mausoleum (i.e., a cenotaph) dedicated to his memory.

[7] The sanctuary's grounds cover about 5 hectares and are lined with stalls selling food, religious images, crosses, red ribbons and flags, rosaries, mates, facones, ponchos, and other souvenirs.