Regidores

Regidores is a title used for members of the municipal government in many Spanish-speaking countries and, historically, in Spain. The word comes from Latin regere, meaning to govern. In medieval and early modern Spain, regidores were part of the ayuntamiento, the municipal council, and acted as civil magistrates who governed the town or city alongside the alcalde, or mayor.

In the municipal administrations of the Crown of Castile and in Spanish territories, regidores supervised local administration, finances, public works, policing, and sometimes judicial matters within the municipality. The number of regidores varied by city and legal regime, and they could be elected by local freemen, appointed by the crown, or, in some periods, inherited. They sat on the council and typically shared legislative and administrative duties, with the alcalde presiding over sessions and serving as the executive authority.

Today, the term regidor is used in many countries to refer to a member of the municipal council, often translated as councilor or alderman. The precise powers and methods of selection differ by country and by local law. In some jurisdictions the term is largely historical, while in others it remains an official title for local lawmakers who participate in budgeting, urban planning, and the provision of public services.