caudillo
/kaʊˈdiːjoʊ/
noun
- A military or political leader, especially in Spanish-speaking countries, who exercises strong, often authoritarian control.
- The caudillo ruled the country with an iron fist for two decades.
- In history class, we learned about the rise of a famous caudillo in Argentina.
- The villagers supported the caudillo because he brought order to the region.