Caciques were local leaders or chiefs in various Indigenous cultures of the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. They played a crucial role in governing their communities, managing resources, and maintaining social order. The term is often associated with the Taíno people, who inhabited the Greater Antilles before European colonization. In addition to their leadership roles, caciques were responsible for representing their communities in interactions with outsiders, including Spanish colonizers. They often held significant power and influence, which could include control over trade and alliances with other tribes. Their leadership was vital for the survival and organization of their societies.