International humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in contemporary armed conflicts
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Contemporary armed conflicts, characterized by territorial fragmentation, the involvement of non-state armed actors, and serious harm to populations, reveal a persistent gap between legal protection and its effective implementation. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of international humanitarian law in protecting civilians in Latin America, considering normative standards, patterns of victimization, and institutional capacities. An exploratory literature review was conducted using sources published between 1998 and 2026, selected through Spanish and English descriptors, inclusion and exclusion criteria, thematic categorization, interpretative legal analysis, and documentary triangulation. The results revealed a robust normative framework based on the principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, and humane treatment. However, compliance remains partial, selective, and delayed due to the urbanization of hostilities, fragmented territorial control, difficulties in identifying victims, and weak accountability mechanisms. The discussion confirmed that effectiveness depends not only on the existence of legal norms but also on their operational incorporation and institutional support. It is concluded that the effective protection of civilians requires strengthening prevention, monitoring, investigation, punishment, reparation, and humanitarian information systems.
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