History Characters / BetterCallSaulCartel

!!Don Eladio Vuente

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eladio_8.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:''"Hate. A little bit's okay, as long as you never forget who's boss."'']]
->'''Portrayed by:''' Creator/StevenBauer
->''"You don't want to be looking over your shoulder? You're in the wrong business, my friend!"''
The head of the Juarez Cartel, whom Bolsa and Hector answer to.

* BadBoss: Seemed willing to push Hector aside in favor of Gus. A risky move regarding both people, considering he had Gus' partner murdered, by ''Hector'' no less. His employees seem to be constantly on guard waiting for the moment he decides to kill them. Lalo theorizes Eladio is just enjoying the bad blood between the Salamanca muscles and Gus the earner since it keeps them divided and constantly trying to cater his favors by bringing more money. Eladio has so many people looking at him with hatred Gus doesn't surprise him and thinks he can just cower him with force.
* BitchInSheepsClothing: His manner of talking to his employees is full of MoodWhiplash and leaves his employees and the audience on edge regarding when he's gonna get ''truly'' murderously angry.
* ButForMeItWasTuesday: It really just doesn't seem to dawn on him that his murder of Max is more or less Gus' [[{{Revenge}} sole]] motivating factor in their partnership together. It's implied by the final season where Eladio outright tells Gus he can see the hatred in his eyes that it's not an uncommon backstory for his underlings.
* CallForward: We're introduced to Eladio diving into his pool; many years later, he'll be poisoned by Gus and fall lifelessly into his pool from the very same angle.
* TheDreaded: The instant he starts to seemingly lose his temper with Hector, everyone around him is put on incredible edge. After he leaves, an uncomfortable Bolsa warns Hector against insulting Don Eladio. Keep in mind: Bolsa doesn't even like Hector, which illustrates just how terrible [[EvilerThanThou Eladio must be by comparison.]]
* ExcellentJudgeOfCharacter: For all his StupidEvil tendencies he is not as thick as he looks when it comes to seeing through people.
** When conversing with Nacho, he subtly tells him to stop kissing his ass with the atypical yes-man attitude - and tell him what he truly wants behind his depressed facade.
** He understands the dynamics between Gus and the Salamancas and how to use them to his advantage. Also, despite brushing off the Salamanca's testimony, when Hector told Eladio to look into Gus' eyes and see him for who he really is, Eladio sees the immeasurable hate Gus has for him under his polite demeanor.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: It says something that even Eladio is wary of Tuco, questioning if Nacho is all there in the head for associating with him. Considering how crazy Eladio himself is, it speaks volumes about the depths of Tuco's insanity.
* EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor: Don Eladio has the sense of humor of a 14 year old. He doesn't just shit talk Hector about his lame money tributes and his later crippled condition but his lame joke about the "frunk" is another good example.
* FatBastard: As we see when he is swimming, he is very overweight, which is also given a nod through the Regalo Helado puppet made in his likeliness. [[spoiler: When Gus declares his hatred against Eladio with what was intended to be his dying words by Lalo, he makes a slew of insults directed at his girth, calling him a "fat pig" and a "greasy, bloated pimp."]]
* FauxAffablyEvil: Seems like a pretty cool guy to have a beer with. It's all an act. As said, his speech ''is'' full of MoodWhiplash. Lalo specifically warns Ignacio to be straightforward with the boss when he meets him, but to do it in as few words as possible so he can't construe some offhand remark as an insult.
* GreaterScopeVillain: True to form, he has little to do with the main plot, but is higher-ranked than Hector, who's the BigBad from Gus and Mike's perspectives.
* {{Greed}}: Is more than a little eager to jump into bed with Gus after he sees the kind of cheddar they're hauling in, despite the fact he murdered Gus' partner when they pitched him more or less that very same idea.
* HateSink: He might as well be the worst person the cartel has to offer, and when even ''Hector'' is somehow less bad in comparison, that says something. Eladio is simply a smug, cocky, entitled, and abusive bully underneath his bluster as a cartel don and all of his appearances are an emphasis to show that he is a feared figure just as much as he is a detestable one.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Gus himself points out in his video insulting the Cartel that while Eladio may talk about honor, he himself isn't honorable.
* JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: He seems bubbly, quirky, and fun, but he's really just a mean-spirited thuggish BadBoss who likes to bully people for his own sadistic gratification.
* JerkassHasAPoint:
** He laughs at Nacho's desire of not having to look over his shoulder for danger as this is not something you'll ever get from being in the Cartel.
** His call to toss Hector aside is an UngratefulBastard move as the Salamancas are the cartel's strongest enforcers but Gus Fring does bring in more money.
* JustJokingJustification: Pulls this when shit-talking Hector, but it's transparent to all parties involved, including himself.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: He taunts and heckles Hector by calling his money stash cute; this is [[{{Jerkass}} Hector]] we're talking about here. Later, he similarly heckles Bolsa for being short on his tributes.
* MoodSwinger: Eladio often act jolly and nice for a moment only to switch to angry, threatening or even murderous mode in an instant, which he uses as an intimidation factor toward his henchmen and others. His subordinates are constantly on edge when around him, as they never know when or why Eladio could become angry at them, only that it can happen anytime, and that it could very well be the last time.
* OpportunisticBastard: As seen in {{Greed}}, he doesn't seem to plan ahead, but latches onto convenient money-grabbing opportunities.
* OrcusOnHisThrone: Eladio is the head of a powerful drug cartel and possibly the most powerful criminal in both shows, but all of his appearances are at his villa. Even when the Cartel is dealing with serious issues, Eladio never displace himself and seems more than happy to let Bolsa or the Salamancas do the hard work in his stead.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: He mocks the now-disabled Hector by imitating him ringing his bell, which Bolsa's silently disgusted by.
* PragmaticVillainy: [[spoiler:It’s implied that he knows Gus killed Lalo, but lets him live because of his high earning capability, but not before firmly reminding Gus to remember who’s the boss.]]
* {{Pride}}: Eladio's arrogance, along with his avarice, sees him easily seduced by Gus with a grand and easy cash flow, when Eladio should really know better than to rub elbows with an utterly calculating man with a massive grudge against him.
* ProperlyParanoid: Despite being in good business with him, Eladio does not really trust Gus and gets enraged when it's suggested that Gus is keeping any secrets. Given the fact that [[SecretKeeper Eladio knows]] more about [[TheSpook Gus]] than perhaps anyone seen in the setting, he's totally justified in being suspicious.
* SavedByCanon: It'll be a long time before Gus Fring enacts his revenge on him.
* SoftSpokenSadist: He needles Hector with a smooth voice and disarming mannerisms.
* TensionCuttingLaughter: The MoodWhiplash we're talking about; it's an effective intimidation tactic to keep his underbosses on edge.
* TooCleverByHalf: Despite being an ExcellentJudgeOfCharacter, his greed and overconfidence in his own authority gives him a big blind spot when it comes to Gus. He knows that Gus hates him for murdering Max, and it is heavily implied that he's aware that [[spoiler: Gus had killed Lalo]], but he chooses not to act on it because he doesn't want to lose Gus as an earner. [[spoiler: This ultimately ends with Gus dismantling the Juarez Cartel and Eladio's own death]].
* UngratefulBastard: Accused of this by Hector. He discarded the Salamancas, who helped to build his criminal empire and gave him their best enforcers, for a Chilean who brings more money.
* VillainsOutShopping: Eladio is often seen lounging around on-screen, namely enjoying swimming as a hobby.
* YouDontLookLikeYou: Steven Bauer, who was pushing his 60s at the time of shooting, looks unbelievably older in ''Better Call Saul'' than his character did in ''Breaking Bad'' in the present day.
* YouGotSpunk!: He seems to have more genuine appreciation and respect for Lalo than he has for most of his subordinates, due to Lalo's audacity, charisma and showman skills, even allowing Lalo to embrace him upon his return and praising Lalo's "showmanship" after his gift of a Ferrari with a box of money inside to him.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Juan Bolsa]]
!!Don Juan Bolsa

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bolsa.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:''"I need to know that this is dealt with."'']]
->'''Portrayed by:''' Javier Grajeda
->''"Today, you are going to die... but there are good deaths and there are bad deaths."''
One of the three founders of the Juarez Cartel alongside Hector and Eladio, who oversees Gus' operations.
----
* AffablyEvil: Is a professional, calm criminal even when liasing with Gus Fring, who hates the Cartel's guts. We've yet to see his [[FauxAffablyEvil Faux]] side like we do in ''Breaking Bad'', so he qualifies as this trope. He doesn't even like Hector but, nevertheless, tries to non-confrontationally discourage him from insulting Don Eladio.
* ALighterShadeOfBlack: While he is a villain, Bolsa is this to the Salamancas, contrasting them in every way from his [[AffablyEvil attitude]] and the way he practically encourages his workers, his preference for diplomacy, and disdain for extreme cruelty.
* AscendedExtra: In ''Breaking Bad'', he was primarily a SatelliteCharacter to the Cousins. While his role in this series is still a comparatively smaller one next to Gus, Hector, and even Lalo, his role in the Cartel is nonetheless much more clearly depicted this time around.
* BoringButPractical: Bolsa is much less emotional than Hector and goes about things in a calm, professional manner. Nor is Bolsa the blatantly threatening killer that Hector is. Hector enjoys wielding his power, runs roughshod over everyone, and has a voice like Satan himself. Bolsa looks more like a harmless middle manager. This quietly competent style of management works wonders for him; his partnership with Gus helps him gain favor with Don Eladio.
* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In ''Breaking Bad,'' Bolsa was much more FauxAffablyEvil, having little patience for Gus, and indulging in barbaric cruelty such as overseeing the decapitation of one of his minions and mounting his head on a tortoise boobytrapped with explosives. Here, he is much more AffablyEvil, bordering on a NobleDemon that disapproves the brutality of the Salamancas and their long-standing feud with Gus.
* CoDragons: Was this with Hector to Don Eladio on the business side. With Hector falling out of favor with Eladio, he becomes a more traditional dragon.
* EvenEvilHasStandards:
** Lalo's act of [[DisproportionateRetribution murdering a store clerk for inconveniencing him]] does not go unnoticed, and Bolsa chides him for it, albeit for [[PragmaticVillainy potentially rousing suspicion]].
** On a more significant note, Gus notes Bolsa does not have much patience for the extreme brutality the Salamancas thrive in. True to form, when overseeing Nacho's execution, he promises him a dignified death if he cooperates, in contrast to the Salamancas at the scene itching to torture him.
** In "[[Recap/BetterCallSaulS6E9FunAndGames Fun and Games]]", even though he disguises it with a smile when Eladio looks at him, Bolsa has an unimpressed and disgusted look on his face when Eladio mocks Hector by imitating his ringing bell.
* ExtremeDoormat: He uses Eladio's name more than his and follows whoever earns the most cash, even if he has to ignore the blatant bad blood the person has with the Cartel. He also chides the Salamancas, but never goes further than repeating what Eladio wants from them, as he is scared of them.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: He angrily chides Lalo for his senseless murder of Fred, a totally innocent and hapless clerk. While it seems strange a hardened drug lord would care about this, he points out the situation surrounding it is "messy" and not something to be brushed off. This murder ultimately becomes a major plot point when Lalo is caught for it.
* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: He seems to believe that Gus is genuinely all about business even when Lalo reminds him of several incidents saying otherwise. Setting his sights only on the massive amounts of cash, he knows about the death of Gus' partner Max and doesn't suspect that he'd ever be working against their interests. He isn't ''completely'' without doubts, but nevertheless hopes that he is in the right about Fring.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: Makes a B-line for a decanter the moment Eladio leaves [[spoiler: after the meeting regarding Hector's accusation is resolved. He doesn't even say a word to Gus.]]
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: Wealthy enough to afford virtual Golf in 2003 anyway.
* TheManBehindTheMan: He anonymously masterminds a plot to sabotage Lalo’s bail from prison in Gus’ interests, not knowing [[UnwantedAssistance that Gus wants Lalo to get the money.]]
* NotSoHarmlessVillain: He reminds the audience that he is of much higher standing than the Salamancas when he has no problem with orchestrating a scheme to sabotage them if they go against the cartel’s interests.
* NothingPersonal: Tries to go for this angle with Hector, but [[EvilIsPetty Hector]] will have none of that.
* OnlySaneMan: Of the Juarez Cartel's upper management, he is shown to be the most level-headed and [[PragmaticVillainy practical in terms of goals.]] While Bolsa doubtlessly has a ruthless side, he is not unhinged like [[PsychopathicManchild Eladio,]] [[{{Revenge}} Gus,]] or [[AxCrazy Hector and his family.]]
* PetTheDog: Despite grumbling that Hector has always been nothing but trouble, Bolsa ensures that Hector's territory remains his even after he and Tuco are put out of commission, rather than seizing it for himself.
* PragmaticVillainy: It's all about the money for Bolsa. Killing ForTheEvulz is something he does not take well, if only because it's bad for business. He is also growing increasingly tired of the feud between the Salamancas and Gus and warns them that [[BadBoss Eladio]] is getting angry.
* TheRival: Seems to be one with Hector, although Bolsa doesn't seem to purposefully engage all that much. He even sincerely cautions Hector about insulting Eladio and otherwise seems rather modest. Justified as while Bolsa wants to look better toward Eladio, he is scared of Hector (in ''Breaking Bad'', he wouldn't even rat on Hector when he pissed in Eladio's pool).
* SavedByCanon: It'll be a long time before he gets shot to death in a raid by the DEA as part of a Gus Fring's scheme.
* YesMan: He's this to Don Eladio compared to the defiant Hector.
* VillainsOutShopping: In his various phone calls to Gus, he can be seen vacationing on a ranch or playing virtual golf in his mansion.
[[/folder]]

!!!The Salamanca Family

[[folder:Hector Salamanca]]
!!Hector "Tio" Salamanca
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/s3_018_copy.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"I am the Cartel!"'']]
->'''Portrayed by:''' Creator/MarkMargolis

->''"How about the payment is you get to live?"''

Tuco Salamanca's elderly uncle, and an aggressive cartel Don fighting against Gustavo Fring.
----

** He understands the dynamics between Gus and Salamancas and how to use them to his advantage. Also, despite brushing off the Salamanca's testimony, when Hector told Eladio to look into Gus' eyes and see him for who he really is, Eladio sees the immeasurable hate Gus has for him under his polite demeanor.

* OutOfFocus: Of all the members of the Salamanca family, Tuco is easily the least relevant on ''Better Call Saul''. Compared to his cousins and uncle, Tuco only terrorizes Jimmy briefly in Season 1, and is tricked into getting arrested after attacking Mike in Season 2. From then on, Tuco spends the entirety of the show in jail, only getting released so that the events of ''Series/BreakingBad'' will occur.

->''"What if I know where there's a half a million in drug money?"''

* CassandraTruth: His attempts at convincing Don Eladio that Gus plans to cut him out has the same energy as Chuck [=McGill=]'s "Chicanery" situation.

* BigBadWannabe: A defining trait. Hector deludes himself into thinking he's a well-respected and widely-feared crime lord who deserves the utmost respect, stating, "I am the cartel". In reality, his fellow dons can barely stand being around him, Gus and Mike constantly undermine and disrespect him, and even Nacho, despite being a street-level gangster, nearly kills him [[spoiler:and [[DyingDeclarationOfHate dies bragging about it]]]].

* KnowWhenToFoldEm: While he still resents him for his favoritism toward Bolsa and Gus, even Hector fears Don Eladio and knows better than of angering or disrespecting him to his face, becoming unusually quiet and submissive and never acting openly dickish in Eladio's presence.

* PsychopathicManchild: Given his lording over others and petty tantrums over smaller things, Hector comes across a petulant child. It's no wonder where Tuco got his behaviour from.

** He's not stupid all the time but his direct approach to dealing with Gus, Bolsa, and Eladio is unsubtle, crass, and suicidally disrespectful.
** [[spoiler: After being told that he must keep Lalo's survival a secret, he instantly blows the lid by making peace with Gus. It's an act so stupidly out of character that Gus knows immediately Lalo has to be alive. In fact, his smug smile and direct look at Gus in the eyes, indirectly tipping him off about Lalo's survival, is implied to be the reason behind his later refusal to ever look Gus in the eyes again during ''Breaking Bad'', as Gus's paranoia and preparations for Lalo's inevitable attempt on his life is ultimately what allowed him to triumph (for atleast 5 years), and Hector is acutely aware he blew the best chance his family had of dealing with Gus out of his petty need to gloat against his enemy.]]

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In ''Breaking Bad,'' Bolsa was much more FauxAffablyEvil, having little patience for Gus, and indulging in barbaric cruelty such as overseeing the decapitation of one of his minions and mounting his head on a tortoise boobytrapped with explosives. Here, he is much more AffablyEvil, bordering on NobleDemon.

* BadBoss: [[spoiler: Shoot one of their own men for shooting in Nacho's direction when they need him alive.]]

* CoDragons: They're the most capable and deadly killers in the Salamanca family.

* SavedByCanon: It's a long time before they have their encounter with Hank in a parking lot.

* PutOnABus: It's suggested that Lalo replaced him as the cook during cartel hours.

[[caption-width-right:250:''"<Sorry...>"'']]

->''"<Boss, I swear to god, I got myself a lighter. See? It wasn't me!>"''

* ParentalFavoritism: Well, Uncle favoritism but he clearly acts as a paternal figure to all his nephews and out of them, he seems to have the most affection for Lalo. This likely stems from the fact Lalo is the most competent and dangerous of the four.

* AffablyEvil: From what we see of him, Ciro seems to be a normal teenager who just so happens to be guarding [[TheSociopath Lalo]].

->''"Boss, I swear to god, I got myself a lighter. See? It wasn't me!"''

* BodyguardingABadass: Lalo is leagues above him in both smarts and strength, to the point that he mostly treats Ciro as something of an AnnoyingYoungerSibling rather than one of his bodyguards.
* WeHardlyKnewYe: Dies not very long after he's introduced.

* PsychopathicManchild:

* PutOnABus: Sent to prison for at least five years. His uncle arranged to make it six months but his behavior makes it harder. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in RealLife by Raymond Cruz not wanting to play the role too often, as he finds it exhausting to be that AxCrazy even for pretend.

* SmallRoleBigImpact: Just like in the first show. He only gets one scene in season 2, but that one scene marks a big shift in Mike's life as it brings him into conflict with the other Salamancas and that's a major step in his path towards working with Gus Fring.

* ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections: He probably wouldn't last as long in the cartel if it weren't for his Uncle.

* PragmaticVillainy: [[spoiler:It’s implied that he knows Gus hates him but lets him live because of his high earning capability, but not before firmly reminding Gus to remember who’s the boss.]]

* AlasPoorVillain: Hector is a massive asshole and sadist on top of his chosen profession. It’s still hard not to feel a little bit sorry for him when [[spoiler: Gus manages to slip away for Lalo’s death by convincing the cartel that Hector is crazy. Hector likely knows exactly what Gus has in mind, but is unable to convince anyone, even the cousins, that he is right. Eladio even mocks him for his disability afterward.]]

* AssholeVictim: A non-lethal variant. While his stroke and subsequent fate is pretty horrible, it’s hard to pity him, given what a petty, cruel, and ruthless asshole he is.

* BullyingADragon: His efforts to intimidate Mike by threatening his family, who he seems to think is relatively harmless for an ex-cop. This is especially true since Mike starts to go well out of his way to try to see Hector arrested or dead. He doesn't fare better with Gus, who already took Hector's spot as Eladio's favorite.
* ButtMonkey: He doesn't have luck during Season 3. His nephew picks a fight with a guard in jail and promptly extends his jail sentence, his boss wants to cast him aside in favor of Gus, and his second VillainousBreakdown leads to his heart attack in the finale.
* CassandraTruth: His attempts at convincing Don Eladio that Gus plans to cut him out has the same energy as Chuck [[=McGill=]]'s "Chicanery" situation.

* FauxAffablyEvil: He's much more fastidious than we're used to. He comes at Mike politely and attempts to bribe him into accepting the gun charge. Given what we would see of him in flashbacks in ''Breaking Bad'', this is a surprise. The mask drops completely when Mike refuses his offer. As things continue to get progressively worse for him, his temper (which wasn't great, to begin with) degrades. He also tries the charming act with Nacho when he wants to use his father's store as a front, but Nacho's savvy enough about it.

Tuco Salamanca's elderly uncle.

* ButtMonkey: And how. First, he is intimidated by Tuco. Then Hector has him brutally beaten for being short on payments. Then Lalo humiliates him with a nickname that he will be stuck with for years. And then he gets arrested in an incredibly embarrassing manner.

* ButForMeItWasTuesday: It really just doesn't seem to dawn on him that his murder of Max is more or less Gus' [[{{Revenge}} sole]] motivating factor in their partnership together.