Decjuan DeMarco (Choloface)

> "*We Cubanos, America don't got corporate ladders for us."*
>
>

- Decjuan to Manolo at the diner.

Decjuan in Little Havana.

* 1974 - Drug Trafficking, Assault, Attempted Murder, Contraband Sale, Anti-Castro Propaganda.
* 1976 - Arrested in a sting operation of a band of smugglers
* 1978-1980 - Attempting an assassination of a Castro official, sentenced to prison until Mariel Boatlift in 1980.

### Appears in

* Choloface
* Choloface: Havana Origins (Prequel-Book)

## General Information

Decjuan "Cholo" DeMarco is the main protagonist in the 'Choloface' movie. He is also present in the 'Choloface: Havana Origins' book, that details Decjuan DeMarco's life before immigrating to Vice City, particularly his 'Cholo' days as a notorious hitman.

## Biography

#### Early Life

Decjuan was born September 6th, 1956 to Antonio and Isabela DeMarco. Decjuan's father was an Italian-American mobster who was in Havana at the time, representing a crime family from Liberty City. However, after the revolution, his father fled the country, leaving him and his pregnant mother. His sister, Mercedes DeMarco, was born in 1958. With the country in ruins after Castro's takeover, Decjuan as a young boy would quickly slide into the illegal side of things. During this time, he would meet his future best friend, and partner in crime, Manolo Ray. Manolo Ray and Decjuan would grow together, working the same odd jobs for the same odd people. The two shared a bond that couldn't be broken, eventually going into their teenager years.

##### Early 1970s

By the early 1970s, Decjuan and Manolo were relatively doing alright for themselves from the jobs. In 1972, Decjuan and Manolo got into a scrap with some others over a job, Decjuan and Manolo were outnumbered, and one of the men had a knife on him, who slashed Decjuan under his right eye, giving him the scar. Decjuan would fend them off, but the police had shown up, Decjuan and Manolo were arrested, and shipped off to the army due to the fact they were only 16, and Castro needed fighters.

##### Cuban Revolutionary Army

Within the army, Decjuan and Manolo would train for weeks, and were treated the harshest, due to their age. Eventually, the Angola war broke out, Cuba had gotten involved on behalf of the Soviet Union, which is where Decjuan and Manolo were deployed. They saw action on numerous battles, and half of their squad got taken out. The time in the army had disgusted Decjuan, the way the Castro administration dealt with things. Decjuan eventually landed both him and Manolo in army jail, after refusing to murder innocent citizens.

##### Time as a Gun for Hire

Decjuan and Manolo had been released on good behavior, but due to the crime they committed, most Cuban storefronts or businesses wouldn't dare to take them in. This led to them resorting to crimes again, however, Manolo stuck to low-end crimes, Decjuan was going for tougher ones using his military training. Decjuan reached out to an old friend he knew from the army, Agusto Santos. Agusto was well connected with the criminal underworld of Cuba, including rebels who wanted Castro gone. He managed to get Decjuan various jobs, ranging from guarding transports, drug supplies and others. Due to Decjuan being white, because of an American father, he was nicknamed the 'Cholo' and that name became the one he went by on these jobs. Decjuan grew distant from his family during this time, due to his mother's disapproval of the work he was doing. Decjuan would eventually switch into assassination, when Agusto Santos got him a job to assassinate a high-profile business man named Antonio La Vibora. Decjuan snuck into his house at night, and slit his throat using a broken shard from a vase.

##### DeMarco Family Departure

Decjuan had spent a few months in prison in 1976, and that was the first time in prison where his mother had never sent him letters, or visited him. This greatly worried Decjuan, who wasn't used to this, even if he and his mother never got along. When he was released, Decjuan went home, only to find a new family living there. His mother and sister left the country. Decjuan was abandoned, not a warning, anything. Just gone. This event hurt Decjuan greatly, and he despised his mother for it, even if he didn't admit it.

##### Failed Assassination and Arrest

Agusto had one final job for Decjuan in 1978, with the promise of a boat to Vice City. Decjuan had been longing to go to America, where he can make it. He promised to bring Manolo along as well, as Decjuan made demands for that. He had to assassinate one of Castro's top dogs, Frank Reyes. Frank Reyes was going to be greeting the people of Havana at the center, and Decjuan was given a sniper to finish the job. Decjuan went on the vantage point that was picked out, however, when he went there, he was met by Cuban Revolutionary Officers, who he had to evade. He fired off the shots into them, which sent the crowd crazy, Frank Reyes quickly left the area. The assassination was a failure, and Decjuan suspected he was betrayed. He assumed Agusto was behind it, due to all the false promises. But once he got to Agusto's safehouse, he found it ransacked, and Agusto was killed, shortly after, Cuban Revolutionary Officers busted in, arresting Decjuan.

##### Prison

He was quickly thrown into prison, with chance of being executed by a firing squad. His friend, Manolo, had also ended up in the same prison. Decjuan felt hopeless, but he wasn't scared of knowing he could die at any time. He and Manolo had each other's back in prison. The two didn't stop their schemes, selling contraband inside of the prison (ex. cigarettes, candy, etc.). Decjuan spent most of the stuff he earned while inside to try and send letters to the outside, to find where his family had went.

##### Mariel Boatlift

On April 15th, 1980, the Castro administration announced they would be opening the harbor at Mariel, Cuba with the apparent intention of letting some of his people join their relatives in the United States. Within seventy-two hours, 3,000 U.S. boats were headed for Cuba. It is assumed that 25,000 out of the 125,500 that had immigrated were with criminal records. This included Decjuan DeMarco and Manolo Ray. When the boatlift was announced, they wasted no time trying to get sent off from the cage they were in, and they succeeded. They were taken to the Mariel Harbor, where they got on a boat that departed for Vice City, Florida. In later dialogue during the movie, Decjuan described the boat as a 'mental asylum', while Manolo complained about it not having much women. The boat would eventually land at the Vice Ports, however, National Guard was waiting, and the entire boat was quickly arrested into political custody. Decjuan was one of the first to be interrogated. During the interrogation, Decjuan had kept his true past as a secret. He managed to surprise the officers by speaking in English. Decjuan claimed his family was all killed, while also proclaiming that he's going to make it in America, to be somebody, a big businessman. He only revealed his record for being arrested for the fist fight, that caused him to be drafted. However, the bandana that Decjuan had in his pocket was snatched by one of the officers, who recognized it as apart of the Los Banditas gang, a common sign they used was a bandana. Decjuan had associated with them in the prison. The officers didn't buy his story, and he was shipped off to Freedom Town, a refugee camp under some high ways in Vice Port. During the way there, him and Manolo Ray were reunited on the bus ride, where Manolo calls him Cholo, which pisses off Decjuan, who wishes to abandon the name.

##### Freedom Town

Some months after they arrived, Decjuan was with another refugee named Maribel, receiving oral sex, when Manolo Ray began calling for him. Decjuan approached him, where Manolo told him that they could be out of the camp in a week as they had a job to do, killing a Cuban official known as Juan Garcia Cortez, for some connections in the city. Manolo proposes the idea of causing a riot when Decjuan asked how they were going to do it. Juan Garcia Cortez passed by Decjuan, recognizing him as 'Cholo', the hitman from Cuba. Decjuan called him a 'wasp' as he walked off. When the riot erupted, Decjuan snuck up on Cortez, and struck him in the back with a knife, telling him 'You get what you deserved, maricon', before stabbing him in the neck, despite Cortez's pleas and promises that he could get him a green card. One week later, Decjuan and Manolo were in line to get their green cards, where Decjuan stated that they were finally American citizens. Manolo stated he can finally buy a house, a car, and get a wife, when Decjuan neglected his ideas, stating there was no 'corporate ladder' for Cuban immigrants in America. Manolo asked "What's going on in your head, Cholo?", which Decjuan ignored. They got their green cards, and were free to go out to Vice City.

##### First Contact

Decjuan and Manolo had been given a job at Jose's Diner in Little Havana, Vice City. While cleaning the dishes, Decjuan let out a rage, about how he didn't come to America to break his fingers washing dishes. Manolo told him to relax, as their connect was going to come soon. On their break, Decjuan and Manolo would observe the 'The Havana Executive' nightclub across the street, dozens of rich cars pulling up, with rich people going inside. The club was a known Robina Cartel hangout. Decjuan remarked at how rich those people were, and how 'a little coke money never hurt nobody' to drill the idea into Manolo's head that they would be better off selling it, they weren't cut out for the legal life. Manolo expressed fear of stepping on the wrong toes, which Decjuan passed off. Decjuan told Manolo that they had to do things in a quick pace, as the city waited for no one. Decjuan pointed out a Enus Stafford, saying one day, he'll own a car like that. While they were on the break, a clerk from Jose's Diner would let the two know that someone was looking for them out front. Manolo would state that it's Rico Suarez, who was the underboss of the Robina Cartel. Decjuan and Manolo would walk to the Sentinel that Rico sat in. Rico would ask Manolo "who's the cabron with the pretty scar", to which Decjuan contained his disgust of the man. After the introductions, Rico would state that he had a job of selling marijuana, $100 for each. Decjuan saw that this was a horrible offer, and they could do way better. He told Rico it was a waste of time, Rico remarked that Decjuan was a little chico, a kitchen bitch who was worth nothing. Manolo tried to calm things down, but this lit off a rage in Decjuan, who threatened to kick Rico's ass. Rico reached for his gun, but his bodyguard stopped him, telling him about 'the coca.' Rico would put the gun away, and tell Decjuan that if he wanted big bucks, he had a job for him. 25 kilos of cocaine to be picked up by some new Haitian dealers in town, lead by Auntie Poulet. Decjuan and Manolo agreed, coke was profitable, and they could prove themselves. Rico told Decjuan to be at Robina Cafe in the morning, where the buy money would be and that if he tried to run off with it, his boss would cut off their cojones. Decjuan simply mocked him as he drove off, spitting in the ground. Manolo thought what Decjuan did was dumb, Decjuan told him that if he stuck to his way, they would've been played for fools. Decjuan stated how a woman running a gang was a new concept to him when Manny mentioned this Auntie Poulet, and they began discussing how they needed some men for the job. Manolo brought up Freddy and Chino, who Decjuan disapproved of. Pepe, an eighteen year old immigrant from Freedom Town, was someone Decjuan liked, a little brother, and they were going to bringing him along. Manolo also brought up Ricardo Diaz, a fat Cuban, suffering from a napoleon complex. He knew of Decjuan and Manolo from Freedom Town, and has good connections with them. Decjuan agreed to it, Diaz was wild, but he could control himself at the same time.

##### First Job

After a restless night of pondering, Decjuan went to Robina Cafe in the morning, while Manolo gathered the guys. Decjuan asked the goon who was behind the counter for the buy money, and that he was there on behalf of Rico. He was given the money, and a key to a Savanna outside, that had some guns in the trunk. Decjuan walked out to Manolo, Ricardo and Pepe. He gave Manolo the keys, and they drove off towards Vice Beach, laughing along the way. The deal was taking place at the Florida Eyes Hotel on Ocean Drive. Decjuan didn't trust the Haitians, so he told them to keep the money in the car. Pepe thought otherwise, that they should take the money. But he was mocked, told to pray to Chongo. Decjuan and Pepe left the car, walking towards the hotel. Decjuan and Pepe had a small moment before knocking on the door, where Pepe said he trusted Decjuan with his life, considered him like a 'hermano' which means his brother. Decjuan knocked, and Emmanuele opened the door. After confirming they were Rico's guys, both men walked in, where Decjuan was greeted by Auntie Poulet. After some back and fourth, and Decjuan wanting to see the coke first, Auntie Poulet seemingly agrees, standing up and walking to a drawer. At the same time, a door was kicked down, which knocked Pepe down, a few goons stepped out, Emmanuele grabbed Decjuan and put a gun to his jaw before he could do anything. Auntie Poulet pulled out a shotgun from the drawer. She demanded to know where the money was, while Decjuan threatened them, trying to get them away from Pepe, while assuring him it was ok. Pepe had begun sobbing, and Decjuan was powerless in the situation, but he wanted to get him out. Auntie Poulet told Emmanuele that he 'knew what they wanted to speak', Emmanuele grabbed a chainsaw, and they chained up Decjuan and Pepe. Despite the threats from Decjuan, Emmanuele swung the chainsaw at Pepe, splitting in half the young Cuban. Decjuan watched, trying to look away, it was hard to watch, even for him. That was a young boy, he wasn't too old himself, only 24, but it still hurt. After this, a Haitian began beating into Decjuan while Emmanuele unjammed the chainsaw, still trying to know where the money was. Fortunately for Decjuan, Manolo and Ricardo came in at the right time, shooting down most of the Haitians. Emmanuele escaped while Manolo was shot in the thigh. Ricardo got the drop on the Haitian that got him. Decjuan got himself free, and struggled with the Haitian next to him, snatching the gun from his hands and shooting him. He shot Auntie Poulet as she ran out, hitting her back. He checked on Manny first, and Ricardo told him to go after Auntie Poulet, and that he'd look after Manny, Decjuan told him to find the yayo in the room, raging at Ricardo a little. He ran after Auntie Poulet, and shot her in the back again, causing her to fall. She pleaded for her life, but he emptied the clip into her head in a fit of rage. He ran for the Savanna and got in, picking up Ricardo and Manolo, driving off from the scene before the VCPD showed up.

##### Initiation into The Robina Cartel

After dropping off Manolo and Ricardo, Decjuan disposed of the Savanna, and made a call to Rico Suarez on the number that was provided. He let Rico know that he had the money, and coke, and that the deal was an ambush. Rico said something that Decjuan couldn't understand, before telling Decjuan to bring both the coke and money to him. Decjuan refused, instead stating that he wanted to go to Umberto himself. Rico said that he shouldn't mess around, as Rico would be fucked without it. Decjuan told him to take him to Umberto, and Rico agreed bitterly. He told him to meet him at Robina Cafe. Decjuan passed a news broadcast about the failed drug deal, and made his way to the cafe. They picked up some suits before proceeding to Robina Mansion, Decjuan admired the mansion, wanting to get a similar place some day. They had walked into the mansion, and eventually met Umberto Robina, the boss. Decjuan didn't know what to make of him at first, but he did live nicely. He gave Umberto the coke and yayo, stating that it was a gift from him, and that his friend's life was lost for it. Umberto was impressed, and after some chatter, had proposed they go to the Malibu Club, the most exclusive club in Vice City. Decjuan agreed, and Umberto said they had to wait for his wife first. When she made her way over, Decjuan immediately took interest in her. Mary Jones, 24, beautiful blonde with amazing brown eyes, and incredibly young compared to Umberto, which disgusted him. Despite her being the boss's wife, he immediately had an interest, and wanted her. After they made introductions, they went to the Malibu Club in Robina's limo. The group had walked in, and Manolo told Decjuan that he'll see him later, going onto the dance floor to dance with a woman. Decjuan made his way to Umberto's booth with the rest, where they sat. With some drinks in, Decjuan was introduced to Michael Goldstein, the best lawyer in Vice City, according to Umberto. This is where Decjuan found out that Umberto was in a legal battle, and that evidence was being found against him everyday. Umberto then pointed out the Vance Brothers to him, saying that they were good business partners, and had one of the biggest distribution networks. Decjuan saw this as a weak move, associating with the rivals. He thought of Umberto as a soft boss, pushed around too easily. Miguel Vialpando was then pointed out by Umberto, who stated that he might have him killed by Decjuan soon. Umberto then gave Decjuan the three important rules of the Robina Cartel, which he accepted, despite finding him as a greedy pig due to them. He was then put in charge of a drug operation that would be happening the next month. Umberto and Rico went off to the office, while Decjuan went down to the dance floor as he saw Mary down there, beginning to dance with her. In the distance, Umberto and Rico discussed Decjuan, Rico calling Decjuan a 'fucking peasant'. Decjuan and Mary danced, with Decjuan trying to get information out of her. How she ended up 'with a maricon like Umberto'. However, his attempts ended up with her slapping him across the face, and walking away, although that didn't cause him to give up. On the way back home after that night, Decjuan drove the new car he got from Umberto with Manolo, where Decjuan stated that Mary Jones liked him, this took Manolo back, as this was the boss's wife, they could die over this. Decjuan states she likes him, and he likes her, Manolo says it's best to stay in line, but Decjuan tells him he can do that if he wishes, while he wishes to unlock his full potential, that he'll one day own the city. Manolo passes this off as Decjuan dreaming too much, the two drove off into the night.

##### Time in the Robina Cartel

A few months pass, Decjuan had been working for Robina. He had been promoted to Lieutenant, and had a crew under him, including Manolo Ray, Ricardo Diaz, Enrico Ribera, and some unnamned goons. On one such day, the previously mentioned airport shipment had arrived via the drug mules. Manolo Ray, Ricardo Diaz and some goons were moving the shipments. Decjuan arrived a bit later, overseeing the last of the shipment. He then ordered them to move the stuff to Umberto's warehouse in Little Havana. Upon arrival, Decjuan and Manolo noted that the shipment was lighter in usual, which wasn't gonna turn over a profit, meaning they had to get a new supplier. They went to Robina Cafe, where Decjuan explained the situation to Umberto and Rico. Umberto at first was surprised, and didn't want to risk cutting off the Vance Brothers, who were his suppliers. But with some convincing from Decjuan, they decided they'll make a connection with Tommy Vercetti, the Italian druglord who was based out of Bolivia. Rico protested against this, but Umberto quickly shut him down. However, Rico used the moment to put some ideas in Umberto's head, specifically about Decjuan and Mary Jones. Umberto figures out that he'll have to deal with Decjuan soon, but he is more useful alive to him at that current time. A day later, Decjuan and Manolo were at Ocean Beach, talking about life, and the chicas, where Manolo went up to a woman and began dancing with her. The young soldier under Decjuan, Enrico Ribera, arrived and handed Decjuan's the week's take, who noted it was light. Enrico said that Umberto had taken some of the fronts from under Decjuan, which set off a few alarms. Enrico left, and Decjuan pondered the situation, before he was interrupted by Manolo being rejected.

##### DeMarco Family Reunion

Over the few months that Decjuan has been in Vice City, he had found out that his mother and sister had both immigrated to Vice City as well, way back while he was still in prison.

## Personality

As a father-figure lacking young boy in Castro-led Cuba, Decjuan grew up and quickly became numb to violence, and criminal deeds. He had one goal in life, to make it big and be somebody far away from Cuba, support his friends and family. As time went on, events had shaped Decjuan into who he was. The Cuban Revolutionary Army and Angola War had him as an effective killer, which numbed any emotion to killing people, and sent him on his path as a hired gun. However, Decjuan has a set of moral codes, evidenced by both the movie and prequel-book. Decjuan refuses to kill any innocent people, he only kills those who deserve it in his eyes, justifying all his kills in a way to make himself feel better. Although, he does not deny that he is a terrible person.

He's a ruthless individual, ready to wreck havoc upon Vice City and whatever in his way to get to the top, almost anything. He isn't afraid to step out of line, and call things how he sees them, due to the deathwish nature of him. Decjuan is not afraid of death, and has barely any fear to things. However, he has a side of him that is repentant, such as feeling guilty of Pepe's death. He has a soft side for children, innocent people, and women. Decjuan holds those close to him and ones he considers as friends or family in his heart, another example is also Pepe, where he had zero care for himself, but tried his best to get Pepe out, not being able to watch the young teen get split in half by the chainsaw. His street elegance and charisma is unmatched.

He has a comedic side to him, cracking jokes at times, such as mocking Manolo when he said he was getting on his knees for the prison guards.

Despite his upbringing, and the company he is present with. Decjuan shows a remarkable level of intelligence and street smarts. Within weeks of being in Vice City, he managed to establish himself as a top dog for Umberto Robina, and had most of the coke trade within his fingertips. He rose to the top, but also planned it carefully, and was very observant of what others had done. His intelligence, and his fearlessness go hand-in-hand, such as when he suggested working with drug lord Tommy Vercetti, instead of the Vance Brothers, or when he knew that Umberto was a sinking ship, and stood up against him during the scene at the Robina Cafe. Decjuan had managed to figure out that Umberto Robina put Vic and Lance Vance on him during the club scene, as he tells Manolo shortly before his attention was taken by his sister.

## Relationships

#### Manolo "Manny" Ray

Manolo Ray is Decjuan DeMarco's best friend. The two had grown up together, and have had each other's backs forever. The two served together, and went to prison together. Despite the aggressive nature between the two at times, the two share a bond that is unbreakable. Decjuan cares deeply about Manolo, and would do anything for him, having been through most major events of their lives together.

#### Pepe

While not much is known about Pepe, during the movie, he appears during the drug deal gone wrong at the Florida Eyes Hotel, where Decjuan accepts his fate, but does his best to try and get Pepe out, showing that he does care and values Pepe in some way, which stems from the fact he was young. The book also reveals that Decjuan served with Pepe's older brother in the Angola war, who was killed by a bombing.

#### Ricardo Diaz

Decjuan treats Ricardo in a business manner most of the time, the two not really having a real friendship, but working together when necessary. Decjuan trusts Ricardo with some things, but has no problem also threatening him, such as the scene at the Florida Eyes Hotel, where he grabs Ricardo by the shoulder and deadstares him, demanding he finds the cocaine that was somewhere in the room.

#### Rico Suarez

Decjuan and Rico are on unfriendly terms most of the time. The two share a mutual disliking of one another. Decjuan finds Rico disgusting, and that he's a snake, while also suspecting that he set him up back at the Florida Eyes Hotel. Rico has a jealous hatred of Decjuan, due to Umberto assigning him most of the things, such as the drug mules at the airport. When Rico died, Decjuan barely paid attention to his death.

#### Umberto Robina

Initially, the two got off on the right track, with Umberto immediately taking a liking to Decjuan, due to how effective he was, and how ballsy he also was. However, as time went on, Decjuan found Umberto to be weak, and even began making moves towards his wife, Mary Jones. When tensions were high between Decjuan and Umberto, Decjuan stuck out for himself, and took no crap from Umberto, but he never betrayed Umberto as he felt it was wrong to do. Umberto had given him the reason, by acting first and attempting to have Decjuan killed. Decjuan had Umberto killed at the hands of Manolo Ray.

## Trivia

* He is the first Cholo to be both bear the name Decjuan DeMarco, and also be the protagonist. While other Cholos had focus to them, they were never focused on a light that Decjuan DeMarco was shown in.
* There is an inconsistency between the movie and prequel-book, in the movie, his height is 5'9, while in the book, it's 5'11.
* Decjuan keeps the bandana he got from the banditos with him in the pocket at all times, believing it brings him some luck. This is the first time the Cholo's bandana had any value and explanation.
* While not directly confirmed, Decjuan may be a believer of Chongo, as he is the only one not to mock Pepe for believing in him.
* He was first place in Lifeinvader's Top 10 Movie Characters of the 1980s.
* His father is an Italian-American mobster from Liberty City, he could actually be Niccolo DeMarco, the Leone Crime Family soldier from the movie 'Badfellas'.
* During the movie, Decjuan drives a 1969 Savanna for the majority of the first act, however, during The Malibu Club shootout scene, he seemingly has a sports car. This may indicate that there was a deleted scene where he bought a car.