Caudillo vs. Conquistador — What's the Difference?

A caudillo ( kaw-DEE(L)-yoh, kow-, Spanish: [kawˈðiʎo]; Old Spanish: cabdillo, from Latin capitellum, diminutive of caput "head") is a type of personalist leader wielding military and political power. There is no precise definition of caudillo, which is often used interchangeably with "warlord" and "strongman".

Conquistadors (, US also ) or conquistadores (Spanish: [koŋkistaˈðoɾes], Portuguese: [kũkiʃtɐˈdoɾis, kõkiʃtɐˈðoɾɨʃ]; meaning 'conquerors') were the knights, soldiers and explorers of the Spanish and the Portuguese Empires. During the Age of Discovery, conquistadors sailed beyond Europe to the Americas, Oceania, Africa, and Asia, colonizing territory and opening trade routes.

A leader or chief, especially a military dictator.

A conqueror, especially one of the 16th-century Spanish soldiers who defeated Indian civilizations in Mexico, Central America, and Peru.

A political boss; an overlord.

A conqueror, but especially one of the Spanish soldiers that invaded Central and South America otherwise known as the doorways to the new world, in the 16th century and defeated the Incas and Aztecs.

A leader.

An adventurer (especially one who led the Spanish conquest of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century)

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