El Diablo

> Ain't got nothing to worry about from me. I'm cool, homie.
>
> El Diablo to Deadshot, Suicide Squad

**Chato Santana**, also known as **El Diablo** (Spanish for "**The Devil**"), was a metahuman criminal and a member of Task Force X.

Santana was seemingly born with his pyrokinetic powers; however, he eventually lost control over them and accidentally killed his wife and both of his children, which devastated him and led him to willingly surrender himself to the police.

Because of this traumatic experience, he was initially reluctant to use his pyrokinetic powers out of guilt and fear, though he ultimately sacrificed his life in order to defeat Incubus and save the world from Enchantress.

## Biography

### Early life

> I was born with the Devil's gift. I kept it hidden for most my life, but the older I got, the stronger it got. So I started using it. For business, you know. The more power on the street I got, the more firepower I got. Like, that shit went hand in hand. You know? One was feeding the other. Ain't nobody tell me no. Except my old lady.
>
> El Diablo, Suicide Squad

Chato Santana was born on June 3, 1981, in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, into a family of Catholic immigrants from Mexico, and spent most of his childhood in the watchful custody of his grandmother. As the pyrokinetic powers he was born with slowly developed in strength with his age, he struggled to hide these abilities and curbed the temptation to use them growing up. However, this eventually led Santana to weaponize them to his advantage and draw him into getting involved in gang activity at age 17, moving up the ranks by stealing cars, dealing drugs and selling handguns. Becoming known as "El Diablo" on the streets, he was suspected, although never charged, with the murder of fifteen men in East Los Angeles. He thus realized that this might spike his dangerous abilities further and adjusted to the life of a family man, marrying his high school sweetheart Grace and fathering a son and daughter with her. He operated a landscaping company as a cover for his criminal activities, yet he was still widely recognized by the greater community as a gangster.

#### Meeting the original El Diablo

In 2011, Santana together with his gang was caught in an LAPD bust where he was shot and subsequently arrested. While in the hospital, Santana finally came into contact with the original El Diablo, an individual named Lazarus Lane. Lazarus Lane then bequeathed upon him the powers of a minor wrath of vengeance. After being released, Santana then returned to his original life of crime.

#### Killing his family

One day, during breakfast, Grace accused Santana of continuing his criminal activities when she dropped a newspaper in front of him which spoke of six people having died in an arson fire in Boyle Heights. Her suspicions were later confirmed when she found a stash of money and pair of pistols in their closet, prompting a confrontation between the two. When the married couple had an argument with her threatening to take their children away to her mother's, El Diablo lost his temper and had a hard time controlling his pyrokinesis. This resulted in him setting their house ablaze, unwillingly killing both Grace and their two children.

 File:El Diablo surrenders.jpg  Devastated, a remorseful El Diablo handed himself over to police custody voluntarily and was subsequently charged to life incarceration in a federal prison. Upon entering, he was jumped by several other inmates in the recreational area during a prison riot, prompting him to freak out and torch the entire area, killing anyone nearby. Deemed far too dangerous for a federal prison, the fiery homeboy was subsequently transferred to Belle Reve, where he was put inside a container capable of dousing fire.

### Saving the world

#### Recruited into Task Force X

> That ain't me."
> "That wasn't you?"
> "Nah, they say it's me, but that ain't me. That guy's gone. He's dead."
> "And yet, here you are.
>
> El Diablo and Amanda Waller, Suicide Squad

 File:El Diablo Bye.jpg
At Belle Reve, El Diablo was approached by Amanda Waller and Rick Flag who showed him footage of him killing several inmates. El Diablo denied being the person in the footage saying that person is dead, frustrating Waller. Flag tried to talk to El Diablo but was shut down saying that he isn't going to fight again. Diablo then used his powers to display the word 'bye' to Waller and Flag.

When Midway City was attacked by Incubus, the US government called to assemble Task Force X. The cell El Diablo was contained in filled up with water and flushed him out where he was apprehended by guards who injected him with a tranquilizer before he could escape(although, based on his previous attitude, he most likely, wouldn't have tried or wanted to).

#### Deployment in Midway City

 File:Suicide Squad getting ready.jpg

> I don't want anyone else to be harmed. My struggle is mine alone. My crimes are mine alone. My fate should be mine alone.
>
> El Diablo, Suicide Squad: The Official Movie Novelization

The Squad were then briefed by Rick Flag on how they are to go about accomplishing their mission. El Diablo then gathered his gear and changed into street clothes and watched with everyone else as Harley Quinn got changed. El Diablo then commented on how they were the ones who were going to die on the mission saying they were being led to their deaths. The rest of the squad started to make jokes about El Diablo; Captain Boomerang asked if his tattoos washed off, Harley asked if he could light a cigarette with his pinkie and Deadshot reminded them that he could torch the whole area. He then reassured the squad that they don't have to worry about him.

When the squad had geared up, they were informed by Amanda Waller about their mission and what they are to do. If they were successful on their mission they would receive time off their prison sentence but if they fail, they would die. The squad gathered in a helicopter and were about to head off to Midway City when Katana joined them. Task Force X crash-landed in Midway City and they made their way to retrieve Waller when Captain Boomerang and Slipknot attempted to escape. After witnessing Slipknot getting his head blown off, Rick Flag threatened the rest of the Squad.

#### Retrieving HVT1

> Hey, you were some help, princess."
> "It's better this way. Trust me."
> "Oh, yeah, you're the fire bloke, eh?"
> "Yeah, I was, yeah."
> "Right. Yeah. Hey. Well, looky here. It's fire! Woooo!
>
> Captain Boomerang and El Diablo, Suicide Squad

The squad proceeded when they came across some of Enchantress' minions who became hostile and began to attack them. While the rest of the squad fought off the creatures, El Diablo stayed out of the way and decided not to fight because he is afraid that he would lose control. After the fight Captain Boomerang approached El Diablo and mocked him about not helping holding up a lighter and taunting him.

 File:El Diablo shoots flames.jpg
The squad made their way to John F. Ostrander Federal Building where they made their way upstairs where they were ambushed by Enchantress' minions. Once again El Diablo stayed out of the way while everyone fought off the creatures which made Deadshot pull him aside and tried to get him to fight. Becoming angry with Deadshot having a go at him, he used his powers to eliminate all of the remaining enemies which shocked the squad on how powerful he is.

El Diablo and the rest of the squad waited while Rick Flag and Deadshot went to retrieve Amanda Waller. They were greeted by Waller who threatened to blow their heads off when Captain Boomerang suggested to kill her and Flag. When they were on the rooftop, a chopper hijacked by the Joker opened fire on the squad so El Diablo took cover. When Harley Quinn escaped and Deadshot went to shoot her, El Diablo watched believing she had been shot only to reveal to be pretending. The squad watched as the chopper got shot down and blow up thinking Harley had died.

#### Drowning sorrows

 File:Suicde Squad in the bar.jpg

> See, when I get mad, I lose control. You know, I just...I don't know what I do...till it's done.
>
> El Diablo, Suicide Squad

As the squad left the building they saw Harley Quinn still alive to their surprise. After being informed that Flag and Waller are responsible for Enchantress causing the destruction due to a failed mission, the squad decided to go to a bar and have a drink. El Diablo orders a water and they listen to Deadshot review the mission and that they are the ones who will be blamed. El Diablo then preached to Deadshot and told the whole squad about how he used to rule the streets and accidentally killed his wife and children.

 File:El Diablo telling his past.jpg
After hearing El Diablo's story Harley started to have a go at him, telling him to own what he has done and that he can't have a normal life until Deadshot and Boomerang get Harley to back off. Flag then joined them and told them that he is in love with June Moone and that he needs to stop the Enchantress. Flag told the squad that they are free to go but they decide to stay to help him, making sure that everyone will know what they did. The squad all got ready to fight Enchantress and Incubus and made their way through the destroyed train station.

#### Self sacrifice

> Now you're screwed.
>
> El Diablo's final words to Incubus, Suicide Squad

As they made their way, Deadshot asked El Diablo if he was going to fight with them which he answered by being worried that he would lose control, which Deadshot said would give them a chance. When they reached the Enchantress, Flag told them to draw out Incubus so they can blow him up when suddenly Enchantress sensed them and told them to come out. She then showed the squad what they want and that she can give it to them. She showed El Diablo with his family alive until he breaks from her reality and owns that he cannot change what he did.

 File:Diablo using his powers.jpg
He then pleads to the rest of the squad to reject the realities Enchantresses promises them (e.g. Deadshot killing Batman and Harley having a family with the Joker), telling them that it is not real. An enraged El Diablo then goes to confront the Enchantress, defiantly declaring that she can't control him or the squad. They are then attacked by Incubus who easily overpowers the group. El Diablo then volunteers to get Incubus in the corner so he can be blown up. Stating that he is not going to lose another family to Enchantress, he goes and fights off Incubus to protect the squad with his powers which temporarily affects him until he knocks El Diablo away.

 File:SuicideSquad - El Diablo vs Incubus.jpg
El Diablo gets back up and uses his powers and transforms into a flaming skeleton avatar and manages to overpower Incubus and get him into the corner. He then thrusts his superheated arm right through Incubus' extremely durable chest, weakening him until his arm got stuck in Incubus' chest due to his healing factor and Incubus chokes him and reverts him back into his original human form. Flag tells him to get away from the bomb, but knowing that he can't, he tells Flag to blow the bomb killing both Incubus and himself. Chato saved Task Force X and the world from Incubus' and Enchantress' decimating power.

## Personality

> I'm a man, okay? I ain't no weapon. I'mma die in peace before I raise my fists again. I've caused enough harm.
>
> El Diablo to Rick Flag, Suicide Squad

Chato Santana was initially a vain and opportunistic man prone to anger, as he notably used his pyrokinesis powers to his advantage, becoming a powerful and successful gang leader. However, Chato couldn't fully control his pyrokinetic superpowers when enraged, which ultimately resulted in him accidentally killing his wife and 2 children during an angry family spat. Devastated by his deed, Chato voluntarily surrenders to the authorities and becomes a far more calm, collected, benevolent. and withdrawn individual than before, not ever wanting to kill another person with his powers again. Hence, El Diablo was the calmest and benevolent member of Task Force X.

He initially refuses to join the task force, and even after joining, is extremely hesitant to use his powers unless absolutely necessary. Despite being withdrawn though, Chato relatively quickly befriends Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Rick Flag, and is quick to save them from Enchantress' mental probing, which he overpowers due to his superior mental fortitude (which came as a result of him having become skilled at holding back his rage). Ultimately, Chato dies heroically, going all-out with his powers (as a huge flaming avatar) and sacrificing his life in order to defeat Incubus and save the world from Enchantress. Interestingly, *after* his sacrifice, the 'Killer App' phone screen that Waller displays to the Suicide Squad that has the pictures of Task Force X mugshots, still has El Diablo's picture unchanged from the rest of the squad as if he wasn't killed, while Slipknot's picture is blacked out as he was killed by Flag using the 'Killer App' when he tried to escape. It isn't known if this was an error by the filmmakers, or still displaying his picture because he wasn't *specifically* killed by the 'Killer App', or if it is hinting at El Diablo surviving his apparent death.

## Powers and abilities

### Powers

 File:El Diablo Sreading Fire (Suicide Squad).jpg

> This is my hell, and nobody's gettin' out.
>
> El Diablo, Suicide Squad: The Official Movie Novelization

* **Pyrokinesis**: El Diablo has the metahuman ability to generate and manipulate fire to a multitude of dangerous effects, from setting a match aflame, to making fire emerge on the floor of the jail he was kept inside. At full power, El Diablo can generate entire huge columns or concentric blasts of flame from his palms, but his power can also be as precise as lighting a candle, and even crafting intricate designs out of flames (such as a crown, spelled words, and the dancing figurine of his late wife), similar to holograms.
	+ **Fire resistance**: El Diablo's powers provide him with a rather high degree of resilience to fire and heat, as seen when he was unharmed even by extremely hot and intense flames he produced. He is not completely immune, however, as he was killed by an explosion.

> Let me show you what I really am.
>
> El Diablo to Deadshot, Suicide Squad

* **Transformation**: El Diablo can transform at will into a tall, flaming skeleton avatar with a demon-like appearance, whose size and power rival those of Incubus. This is likely part of the powers of a minor wrath of vengeance that were bequeathed to him by Lazarus Lane. El Diablo's pyrokinesis is even hotter and deadlier in this form, to the point that the flames turn blue-hot. With this intensity, El Diablo is able to counter the mighty Incubus, even able to thrust his superheated arm right through Incubus' extremely durable chest. Thus, when going all-out, El Diablo is the most powerful and formidable member of Task Force X, with Amanda Waller referring to him as one of the most powerful metahumans she had ever encountered (only inferior to Enchantress, Incubus and the Flash).
	+ **Superhuman strength**: El Diablo, when in his giant flaming avatar form, has incredible superhuman strength, though not quite the same level as that of Superman or Wonder Woman. His strength was able to match that of Incubus, however he was eventually overpowered and pinned down by the mystical giant, after his hand got caught in Incubus chest.
	+ **Superhuman durability**: El Diablo, when in his giant flaming avatar form, has incredible superhuman durability, though not quite the same level as that of Superman. His durability allowed him to withstand Incubus hits. However, being strangled by Incubus forced him into his ordinary form, in which he was killed by an explosion of a powerful bomb from a close range.

### Abilities

* **Skilled combatant**: El Diablo was a very effective physical combatant, thus he was able to battle and hurt Incubus while he was in his flaming avatar form, however he was eventually overpowered by the mystical giant. El Diablo may have also been a skilled fighter even before he was incarcerated in Belle Reve, having been a formidable gangster.
* **Skilled marksman**: El Diablo, while not on par with Deadshot, seems to have been a highly skilled marksman, given the many guns his wife eventually discovered in their house.
* **Bilingualism**: El Diablo can fluently speak both his native Spanish (Mexican dialect) and English.

> I can't change what I did. And neither can you!
>
> El Diablo to Enchantress, Suicide Squad

* **Indomitable will**: El Diablo possesses an exceptionally strong willpower and mental fortitude, which allowed him to be the only one to snap out of Enchantress' telepathic vision on his own, and then to help Deadshot, Rick Flag and Harley Quinn do the same.

### Weaknesses

* **Water vulnerability**: Since his powers are fire-based, El Diablo cannot use them while he is wet, and the flames he produces can be extinguished as any normal flames.
* **Power instability**: El Diablo, although he had improved over time, also had difficulty controlling his powers. According to himself, he loses control whenever he gets too angry (which is what caused the accidental deaths of his wife and children).

## Relationships

* Mother-in-Law
* Grace Santana † - wife and accidental victim
* Daniel Santana † - son and accidental victim
* Martina Santana † - daughter and accidental victim

Allies* United States Air Force
	+ GQ † - unintended killer
	+ Gomez †
* Task Force X - teammates and friends
	+ Rick Flag - leader
	+ Floyd Lawton/Deadshot- co-leader
	+ Waylon Jones/Killer Croc
	+ Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana
	+ George Harkness/Captain Boomerang
	+ Christopher Weiss/Slipknot † - former teammate
	+ Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn
	+ Eyes of the Adversary
* Incubus † - indirect victim
* Joker - attempted killer
* ARGUS
	+ Amanda Waller - boss and manipulator
* Van Criss † - nano-bomb implanter
* Belle Reve
	+ Hunter Griggs
	+ Ames

## Trivia

* In the DC Comics universe, El Diablo is a name shared by three characters which include Lazarus Lane and Rafael Sandoval.
* He is the only member of the squad to willingly sacrifice himself, rather than be sacrificed by the higher ups.
* David Ayer confirmed on Twitter that El Diablo was originally meant to live in the original script, prior to reshoots.

## Behind the scenes

* Alex Armbruster and Simon Girard were stunt doubles for Jay Hernandez in the role of Gomez.

## References

Ayer, David (writer and director) (August 5, 2016). *Suicide Squad*.
2. ↑ Bergstrom, Signe (2016). **Suicide Squad: Behind the Scenes with the Worst Heroes Ever**. Harper Design.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Amanda Waller's top secret file
4. ↑ Wolfman, Marv (2016). **Suicide Squad: The Official Movie Novelization**. Titan Books.
5. ↑ David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) on Twitter - May 18, 2020

## External links

The ***DC Extended Universe Wiki** has a collection of images and media related to* **El Diablo***.*
* File:Favicon.png El Diablo on DC Database
* File:WP favicon.png El Diablo on Wikipedia

de:El Diablo
es:Chato Santana
fr:Chato Santana