cacique

noun3

1. •
   A local political leader in Latin America, Spain, or the Philippines.
2. •
   (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
3. •
   Any of a number of tropical birds from Central America and South America in the genera Cacicus, Cassiculus, and Amblycercus.