Full Description:
The Caudillo is a recurring figure in Latin American history. In the vacuum left by the collapse of the central state, regional warlords emerged, commanding private armies loyal to them personally rather than to the nation. These leaders often combined populist rhetoric with authoritarian methods.

Critical Perspective:
The dominance of the caudillo highlights the failure of liberal democratic institutions to take root in a society fractured by deep inequality. It reflects a political culture where power is negotiated through force and clientelism (exchanging protection for loyalty) rather than through the ballot box. The post-revolutionary state eventually institutionalized this power, transforming the “Strongman” into the “Strong Party.”