A cacique is a tribal chief in Latin America , particularly of the Spanish West Indies and Brazil from the 16th Century . The term is a Spanish or Portuguese variation of the Taíno word ''cacike'' or the Arawak word ''kassequa'', both meaning "chieftain".
Cacique is also used to refer to a local Pueblo Chief or political leader within the 19 Pueblos found in the Southwestern part of the in United States.
Cacique is also used to refer to a local political leader or boss in Latin America or Spain .
