caudillo

plural caudillos

1. A leader.

   While an America in decline may throw up a more competent caudillo than Trump in time, it is difficult to reasonably conclude that it possesses the societal solidarity to wage a decades-long, global struggle against a near-competitor.

   2020 June 1, Aris Roussinos, Covid has exposed America as a failed state

2. A military dictator, especially one ruling in Spain, Portugal or Latin America.

   Then there’s Mexico’s outgoing populist and wannabe caudillo, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who is pushing a crowd-pleasing law to require all judges be elected by popular vote, including to the Supreme Court.

   2024 August 13, Marc Margolis, Opinion: Want to reform the Supreme Court? These strongmen can show a thing or two, NPR

   1 more example

   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.

   1994 October 14, Dallas Morning News

plural Caudillos

1. A surname.