Decoud means from the rest of Costaguana, but his unintended meaning is, from each other. It is another hint of the theme of Separation, which begins here as an idea for the severance of Sulaco and ends with the breakdown of all unity within it.

Likewise, Decoud may mean one thing by "Occidentals" (which the narrator points outs), but the larger reference is to Western Civilization, suggesting the plethora of distinct, separate nationalities within Europe.