Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
cacos
Central American political group
cacos, one of the two leading political factions in Central America immediately before independence was declared there in 1821. The leaders of the cacos were such prominent Creoles as José Matías Delgado and Pedro Molina, liberals who demanded independence under a federalist anticlerical constitution. They were opposed by the more conservative gazistas, led by José Cecilio del Valle, who insisted upon protection for private property and gradual change but also advocated safeguarding political liberties. Rivalry over political power, however, as well as conflicting ideologies, was the cause of this factionalism.
This article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.