Raul Menendez

A Nicaraguan arms dealer turned terrorist who sparks a Second Cold War from the shadows of two eras.

Raul Menendez is the central antagonist of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, a Nicaraguan arms dealer who evolves into a terrorist mastermind. His story spans two distinct eras: the 1980s and the year 2025. In the past, he is pursued by Alex Mason and Frank Woods; in the future, he sparks a Second Cold War while being hunted by David Mason, known as "Section." Menendez is responsible for kidnapping David in the 1980s and orchestrating global chaos decades later. His actions drive the non-linear campaign, which features multiple endings determined by player choices during Strike Force missions.

Quick Facts

Role: Main Antagonist
First appears: Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)

Lore & Background

Menendez's hatred for the United States stems from a fire in 1972 that disfigured his sister, Josefina, which was linked to an American businessman's insurance fraud. When an earthquake left his family destitute, he and his father turned to drug running, leading the CIA to assassinate his father. In September 1986, Menendez profited from the Soviet–Afghan War before being captured by Mason, Woods, and Hudson in Nicaragua. Although Woods attempted to kill him during a raid on his compound, Menendez faked his death after Josefina was accidentally killed by Woods. By December 1989, during the American invasion of Panama, he revealed himself, crippling Woods in the kneecaps and murdering Jason Hudson while coercing David into a trap.

Reader's Guide

Raul Menendez appears as a historical figure and active threat throughout Black Ops II's campaign. Players encounter him in the 1980s segments alongside Alex Mason and Frank Woods, where his capture is a pivotal moment. In the 2025 timeline, he leads Cordis Die from the shadows, driving the plot toward a Second Cold War. His presence is felt through non-linear gameplay; success or failure in Strike Force missions alters the campaign's conclusion and Menendez's ultimate fate. The game allows players to customize loadouts before missions, influencing how they approach encounters with his forces. Retrospective reviewers praise him as one of the series' best villains due to his personal motivations and the branching storylines he triggers.