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Spoiler Warning: Plot details, ending details, or both are in the text which follows.
Spoiler Warning: Plot details, ending details, or both are in the text which follows.
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Warning

These idiots, they're always trying to screw you. That's the problem with this business. [...] These pricks have failed me miserably. Soon any mom and pop will think they can sell gallo in Vice City.
Life is amazing. Look at me. I got porn. I got drugs. I got money. I'm happy.

Ricardo Diaz is a character in the Grand Theft Auto series who appears as a main character and the tertiary antagonist in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and a main character in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.

Diaz is the leader of his own drug cartel and, by 1986, is the drug baron of Vice City.

History[]

Background[]

Ricardo Diaz was born in Colombia and moved to the United States in 1978, bribing the INS for a green card, before moving to Vice City in the early 1980s. [1]

Events of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]

RicardoDiaz-GTAVCS

Ricardo Diaz in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.

Diaz invests money into a mansion on the expensive Starfish Island and, whilst his home is partially built, meets and befriends Lance and Victor Vance. He has them steal a drugs shipment of Juan Cortez, under the supervision of Gonzalez, which Vic does successfully. Following his success, Diaz decides to employ Vic more work and has him go to a meeting with the DEA, which is ambushed by Gonzalez and his crew, although Vic manages to kill Gonzalez' men and make the deal with the DEA, securing Diaz a large supply of heavy duty guns. Diaz becomes aware that Gonzalez has betrayed Colonel Juan Cortez and explains to Gonzalez that he will inform him of all of Cortez' drug deals, with Diaz ordering Victor to drive Gonzalez to the airport.

Lance Vance then borrows money from Diaz and has his brother work to repay the debt, with Diaz having Vic destroy Armando Mendez' bearer bonds using a Domestobot, before having him steal an attack helicopter from the Fort Baxter Air Base in order to attack the Mendez Compound in Downtown, Vice City. Having been successful in stealing the helicopter, Vic attacks the Mendez Compound on Diaz' orders and kills both Diego Mendez and Jerry Martinez. Following this, Vic and Lance decide to leave Vice City.

Events of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]

Sometime in between 1984 and 1986, Diaz establishes himself as the drug baron of Vice City and finishes the building of his mansion. His drug habit continues and he has become far more paranoid. Diaz sets up a number of foundations across Vice City and Latin America, although the Vice City Bureau of Investigation believe them to be a front, whilst they also suspect him of eighteen murders. Diaz has also established a protection racket in the city. Diaz, continuing to use information from Gonzalez, has a drug deal between the Forelli Crime Family and the Vance Crime Family ambushed, stealing both the drugs and money. Victor Vance and two members of the Forelli Crime Family, Harry and Lee, are killed during the ambush, while the others escape alive.

He later appears at one of Juan Cortez' parties, which was also attended by Forelli representative Tommy Vercetti. Cortez begins to investigate the deal and discovers Gonzalez' involvement and has him killed. Cortez openly suggests that Diaz may have been involved, but does not accuse him.

Cortez employs Vercetti and Lance Vance to protect him in a deal with the Cubans from Haitians, which results in Diaz hiring the two for other jobs. Diaz first has the two deal with the Streetwannabe's, who have been stealing three percent of his profits, first following a gang member to an abandoned home and then attacking the home, killing a number of the gangs members. Later, Diaz has to steal the fastest boat in the city and then use the boat to purchase drugs from a dealer, before escaping the other potential buyers.

Death[]

I trusted you, Tommy! I would have had you made...
— Ricardo Diaz, seconds before his death.

Lance eventually decides to avenge his brother's death and kill Diaz, but his plan backfires. Despite this, Tommy rescues him at the Junkyard, with Lance severely injured due to being tortured by the cartel. The two of them later assault Diaz' mansion, killing all of his men and Diaz himself.

Development[]

Concept art on the Rockstar North's website shows that the working name for Ricardo Diaz was "Fernando Diaz".

The 1983 film Scarface may also be an influence of Ricardo Diaz' character, Frank Lopez seems to be his main inspiration. Diaz' mansion is similar to Montana's, whilst Diaz wears exactly the same clothes as Montana during the drug deal and famous chainsaw torture scene. Diaz' actions in scuttling the Forelli-Vance drug transaction and his men's torture of Lance is similar to how Frank betrayed Montana, additionally, the way Tommy and Lance kill Diaz and take his empire is similar to how Manny Ribera kills Frank for Tony and Tony takes Frank's empire.

Another likely inspiration is the character "El Gato" from the 80s TV Show Miami Vice. Like Diaz he is of short stature and frequently loses his temper. He also uses a Magnum revolver as his weapon of choice.

Mission Appearances[]

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]

Murders Committed by Ricardo Diaz[]

  • Unnamed brother - During "Domo Arigato Domestoboto", Diaz implies that he killed his own brother. The reason is not stated, though it is implied to be debt-related.
  • The VCBI also believe Diaz is responsible for 18 murders.

VCBI Crime Tree Record[]

VCBICrimeTreeLogo-GTAVC
RICARDO DIAZ
Extremely dangerous. Bribed INS for Green card in 1978. Entered country from Colombia.
RicardoDiaz-GTAVC-VCBIPic2
VCBILogo-GTAVC
RICARDO DIAZ

  • Extremely dangerous.
  • Bribed INS for Green card in 1978. Entered country from Colombia.
  • Contacts in Colombia believe he is major player in narcotics industry and anti-government activity.
  • Extremely popular philanthropist. Gives to various Ricardo Diaz foundations across Vice City and Central and South America. All are believed to be a front.
  • Short in size, is believed to suffer from Napoleon complex.
  • Medical records show he has over-active glands and sweats more than is socially acceptable.
  • Gun collector. Always armed.
  • Has private army/militia and is heavily guarded at all times.
  • Has been involved in long running battle for control of narcotics business in Vice City.
  • Known to have bribed police and officials within the town.
  • Feared due to reputation for unpredictable behavior.
  • Thought to be responsible for 18 murders.


The FBI, the DEA, these Vice chumps... They all ask the same thing. "What do you know about this Ricardo? What do you know about that?". I'm telling you, I don't know a damn thing. Ask my lawyer. Ask my damn lawyer! He'll tell you. What do you gonna do? Do you want me to sue you for defamation? Is that what you want?
— Ricardo Diaz

Gallery[]

Artworks[]

In-game[]

Trivia[]

  • Diaz is on the cover of "Crime" Magazine as the "Man of the Year, 1986" award (Can be best seen in PC version with resolution turned on max. It's in Ocean Beach save location. On the coffee table. Appears later on in the game. Use the sniper scope). This is an obvious spoof of Time Magazine and its "Man of the Year" Award.
  • He may possibly be based on Miguel Revilla from the Miami Vice episode "The Prodigal Son" who is also played by Luis Guzman. He takes out opposing gangs to assert his dominance in the Drug Trade, much like Diaz in Vice City.
  • A running gag in the opening cutscenes of the missions that Tommy performs for him depicts him losing his temper causing him to either shoot his gun or destroy various objects:
    • Knocking his TV to the floor when the horse that he bet on lost, threatening to have its head chopped off (The Chase).
    • While walking down the stairs of his mansion and talking to someone on the other line on his phone, he asks that person "What Kind of an incompetent fool are you?" then shouts Fool four times in succession, subsequently throwing his phone to the ground and destroying it after saying "Fool" for the fourth time. While talking to Tommy and still irate, he throws a vase to the floor (Phnom Penh '86).
    • Shooting a Pigeon with a shotgun for defecating on his Admiral and then saying "not so pleased with yourself now, huh" and then laughs. Tommy can be seen standing behind him telling him to watch where he is waving his gun. At the end of the cutscene, he shoots another bird twice (The Fastest Boat).
    • Shooting his VCR when he thought his tape was stuck inside. Tommy then tells him that it's probably not plugged in, which turns out to be the case (Supply & Demand).

References[]

  1. VCBI Crime Tree Record (Official website)

Navigation[]

Navigation
[ ve ]Characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
ProtagonistTommy Vercetti
Major charactersKen Rosenberg | Lance Vance† | Sonny Forelli† | Earnest Kelly | "Big" Mitch Baker | Avery Carrington† | Phil Cassidy | Colonel Juan Garcia Cortez | Ricardo Diaz† | Jezz Torrent | Percy | Dick | Kent Paul | Auntie Poulet | Umberto Robina | Steve Scott | Mr. Black
Minor charactersVictor Vance† | Gonzalez† | Leo Teal† | Pierre La Ponce† | Mercedes Cortez | Doris | Cougar | Zeppelin | Pastor Richards | Donald Love | Streetwannabe's Leader† | Cam Jones | Hilary King† | Alex Shrub | The Psycho | Maude Hanson | Jethro | Dwaine | Mike | Unnamed Vercetti Gang Bodyguard | Porn Guy | Harry† | Lee† | Alberto Robina | Rico | Pepe (gangster) | Pepe (customer) | Pablo | Pedro Garcia | Candy's Agent† | Franco Carter† | Mrs. Dawson† | Charlie Dilson† | Mike Griffin† | Marcus Hammond† | Nick Kong† | Carl Pearson† | Ricardo Diaz's Hitmen | Candy Suxxx | BJ Smith | Sonny's Right-Hand Man | Sonny Forelli's Associate | Dick Tanner† | Ted | Unnamed Property Developer† | Willy | V.I.P. | The Greasy Chopper Bartender | Unnamed Businessman† | Unknown Dead Man† | Café Robina Bartender | Haitian Gang Lord† | Officer Miller | Jackson | Officer Jones | Sam
Radio DJsOliver Biscuit | Maurice Chavez | Adam First | Jonathan Freeloader | Lazlow | Mr. Magic | Fernando Martinez | Michelle Montanius | Pepe | Amy Sheckenhausen | Toni
Radio guestsJan Brown | Michaela Carapadis | Jenny Louise Crab | Callum Crayshaw | Pat "Mr. Zoo" Flannerdy | Freddy | John F. Hickory | Jack Howitzer | Claude Maginot | Mandy | Emanuel | Gethsemanee Starhawk Moonmaker | Doctor Phillips | Jeremy Robard | BJ Smith | Konstantinos Smith | Barry Stark | Thor
Mentioned charactersMr. Chesterfield | Morgan Daniels | Giorgio Forelli | Fran | Jono | Ho Chi | Jimmy | Mario | Patrick III | Laura Shrub | Tim
Beta charactersMr. Moffat
Other charactersBob | Bruce | Mark Cosgrove | Eugene | Martin | May | Moweesha | Doctor Perkins | P. Rowe | Darren Webb
† denotes Deceased, Italics denotes a status determined by the player's choice
Characters in GTA Vice City | Category:Characters in GTA Vice City | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Category:Characters
[ ve ]Characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
ProtagonistVictor Vance
Main
characters
Lance Vance† | Phil Cassidy | Louise Cassidy-Williams† | Jerry Martinez† | Bryan Forbes† | Reni Wassulmaier | Gonzalez† | Ricardo Diaz† | Armando Mendez† | Diego Mendez† | Phil Collins | Umberto Robina | Marty Jay Williams
Minor
characters
Barry Mickelthwaite | Carlos | Mary-Jo Cassidy | Aunt Enid | Fernandez | Frankie | Hank† | Hilberto | Javier | Jesús† | Juan | Mary | Mona | Sergeant Peppah | Alberto Robina | Ronaldo | Marty Williams' cousin† | Spitz | T.J. Sucker | Janet Vance | Mary-Beth Williams | Welfare Woman | Jerry Martinez's Dealer† | Welfare Man | Unnamed Cholo Thug† | Cuban 1
Radio station
employees
Trish Camden | Maurice Chavez | Couzin Ed | Adam First | Jonathan Freeloader | Heinrich Havelock | Hector Hernandez | Phil Herrick | Larry Joe | Lazlow | Luke | Lionel Makepeace | Michelle Montanius | Bryce Parker | Pepe | Bobbie Ray | John Sickerman | Chuck Summers | Teri | Dwayne Thorn | Tina Jane | Toni
Radio Show
characters
Lily Banbury | Pete Banbury | Chief | Ernest Keigel | Molly Malmstein | Gordon Moorehead | Pablo | Richard
Radio guestsBryony Craddock | Kenny Crane | Martin Graves | Pedro | Jeremy Robard | Thorton | Forbes Waverly III
Multiplayer
characters
Colin Allcars | Agent Alman | Harry Balzac | Robin Banks† | Candy Barr | Anita Bath | Bishop | Bub | Des Buratto | Officer Butts | Officer Cracker | Decjuan DeMarco† | Duane DeVane | Kanye Diggit | Martha Fokker | Dee Generate | Gabe Hiker† | Jose | Daryl Lect | Moe Lester† | Harris Mint | Ron A. Muck | Pearl Neklass | Joaquin Noff | Beau Nurr | Buster Nutt | Cam O'Flarge | Juan Ovzem† | Abe Ozo | Chris Packet | Private Parts | Private Places | Poop Dawg | Pops | Agent Provocateur | Stacy Rhect | Abe Rudder | Boyd Schidt | Hayden Seek | Fidel Sistaxez | The Specialist | T.J. Sucker | Sue E. Sydle | Leo Tarred | Tess Tickle | Jenny Tulls | Tate Urchips | Lee Vitout | Dylan Weed | Hugo Zehr
Mentioned
characters
Oliver Biscuit | Cousin Bob | Juan Cortez | Jock Cranley | Derek the Dodo | Destiny | Diaz' Girlfriend | Doris | Dot | Eileen | Betty Feeley | Giorgio Forelli | Trent Hopkins | Abner Horowitz | Jack Howitzer | Stonewall J | Bonnie Knight | Linda | Marie Sue | Beverly McFadden | McGinley | Jenny Mitchell | Mystique | Clay Parsons | Puddles | Smithy | Tim | Trev | Troy | Chris Van Angel | Pete Vance
Deleted
characters
Leo Teal
† denotes Deceased, Italics denotes a status determined by the player's choice
Characters in GTA Vice City Stories | Category:Characters in GTA Vice City Stories | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories | Category:Characters
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