Gus Fring explicitly told Leonel and Marco Salamanca, also known as "The Cousins" or "The Twins," to target Hank Schrader instead of Walter White. This instruction was a crucial plot point in the overarching narrative involving the cartel and Gus Fring's intricate plans.
Gus's Directive to the Salamanca Twins
Following the death of Tuco Salamanca, his cousins, Leonel and Marco, sought revenge. Their initial target was Walter White, whom they held responsible for Tuco's demise. However, Gus Fring, a major drug distributor and their silent benefactor, intervened directly.
- The Original Target: The Salamanca twins' primary objective was to assassinate Walter White, driven by their family's code of revenge.
- Gus's Intervention: Gus Fring, recognizing the potential complications of Walt's death to his own operations, redirected their focus. He knew that killing a DEA agent like Hank Schrader would cause significant chaos and draw attention away from his own illicit activities, while also furthering his own secret agenda against the cartel.
Key Instruction Summary
The instruction given by Gus Fring to the twins was precise and pivotal:
| Party Giving Instruction | Recipient of Instruction | Original Target | New Target (Gus's Directive) | Reason for Change (Gus's View) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gus Fring | Leonel & Marco Salamanca | Walter White | Hank Schrader | To serve Gus's strategic interests within the drug trade and against the cartel. |
This redirection of the twins' violent retribution served Gus Fring's complex manipulative strategies, leveraging their thirst for revenge to his own advantage without directly implicating himself.
