This is a tricky question, because we are only given firsthand insight into the world of the Diablos gang through Osvaldo Cruz, who is established as being unreliable as both a witness and as a literary character. Cruz, being only fourteen years of age, seems entirely too young to be in the circumstances that he is in, even in comparison to the other characters that are on trial with him. Cruz tries to play himself up as a true gang member, being seemingly proud of his position in the Diablos. His apparent toughness is one of his core traits—at least, in his definition of himself.

According to Cruz, the initiation into the Diablos gang involved him having to attack a stranger—specifically, slashing them in the face. It is also mentioned that he had to fight one of the gang members. Cruz seems to be hardened by the culture of violence that surrounds his life. However, in complete contrast, he becomes quiet and demure at the witness stand, displaying fear and insisting that he was forcefully coerced into participating in the robbery. This could imply that Cruz is simply putting on an act for the court, but it could also imply that Cruz is vastly overstating his relationship with the Diablos or even the nature of the gang itself. This is why his account of the gang's initiation could be considered somewhat dubious.