A Spanish-born person living in colonial Mexico or Latin America, often part of the colonial administrative elite.
From Spanish 'gachupín,' possibly derived from Basque 'gachu' (small) and 'pin' (pine), though the etymology is debated. The term emerged during colonial times to distinguish Spanish-born settlers from Creoles (Spanish descendants born in the Americas).
This word captures the social tension of colonialism—'gachupín' became a term of resentment used by Creoles who felt excluded from power despite being born in the Americas, and it played a role in sparking independence movements across Latin America.
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