caudillo

Definition of caudillo in English English dictionary: leader; A military dictator, especially one ruling in Latin America
For, despite all the debunking and cynicism in this generation, there still are, amazingly, trusting people around who need to believe in great helmsmen, dear leaders, fuhrers, presidents-for-life, generalissimos and charismatic caudillos. — Dallas Morning News, October 14, 1994.; {i} leader, head of state (Spanish); A military dictator, esp. one ruling in Latin America; Latin American military dictator. In the wake of the Latin American independence movement in the early 19th century, politically unstable conditions and the long experience of armed conflict led to the emergence in many of the new countries of strongmen who were often charismatic and whose hold on power depended on control over armed followers, patronage, and vigilance. Because their power was based on violence and personal relations, the legitimacy of the caudillos' rule was always in doubt, and few could withstand the challenges of new leaders who emerged among their own followers and wealthy patrons. See also machismo; personalismo
El Caudillo: {i} Francisco Franco (1892-1975), Spanish military leader and dictator who ruled from 1939 to 1975 (until his death)
caudillos: plural of caudillo

caudillo

Hyphenation

cau·dil·lo

kôdîlō

/ˌkôˈdəlō/ /ˌkɔːˈdɪloʊ/

History

Favorites