1. A system of government or political practice in which a strong military leader (caudillo) holds power, often through authoritarian means; the rule or dominance of such a leader.
Usage: plural form of caudillismo; primarily used in historical and political contexts relating to Latin America; formal/academic register

Examples

• The caudillismos that dominated Latin America in the 19th century often resulted in political instability.
• Historians study various caudillismos to understand the region's complex political development.
• The rise of caudillismos followed the collapse of colonial authority in Spanish America.
• Many caudillismos were eventually replaced by more democratic forms of government.
• The legacy of caudillismos continues to influence political discourse in some Latin American countries.