caciques

Noun

cacique (plural caciques)

1. (historical) A tribal chief in the Spanish West Indies.
   • Mexico has loved a strong leader since before Moctezuma. Indigenous tribes were ruled by caciques, or chieftans^([sic]), and in some rural communities caciques are still unchallenged.1993 December 5, Anthony Depalma, “Why Mexico Has Only One Big Hat In the Ring”, in New York Times

   Synonyms:

   chieftain

2. A local political leader in Latin America, Spain, or the Philippines.
3. Any of a number of tropical birds from Central America and South America in the genera Cacicus, Cassiculus, and Amblycercus.