ABSTRACT
The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was created to address the global failure to prevent atrocities such as genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. However, with the rise of non-state actors like terrorist organ izations, the framework faces new challenges. This article explores the complications that non-state actors present to R2P’s implementation. It argues that while R2P was initially state-centered, non-state actors often transcend borders and evade international norms, complicating efforts to hold them accountable. Through a case study of Venezuela, this research highlights how terrorism, transnational criminal networks, and other non-state groups complicate the application of R2P. For R2P to remain relevant in today’s global landscape, it must evolve. This evolution involves redefining sovereignty to account for non-state influence, strengthening international accountability mechanisms, and fostering regional cooperation to address the root causes of terrorism. Ultimately, the framework must adapt to modern threats to protect vulnerable populations effectively.
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