Protegidos

Protegidos is the plural form of the Spanish noun protegido, which denotes a person or group that enjoys protection or shielding under a protective regime, status, or relationship. The term is used in various contexts to indicate that someone is safeguarded from harm, risk, or vulnerability by an institution, authority, or benefactor, or by a formal program.

In legal and administrative contexts, protegidos can refer to individuals who receive formal protection. Examples include children under guardianship, asylum seekers or refugees granted protective status, and participants in protection programs such as the witnesses or victims safeguarded by authorities. The specific rights and obligations of protegidos depend on the applicable laws and procedures in each jurisdiction.

In social and political discourse, the word can describe people who benefit from the patronage or influence of a more powerful figure. Phrases like “los protegidos del presidente” or similar constructions are often used to critique perceived favoritism or nepotism, with connotations of power dynamics and unequal access to opportunities.

The term also appears in cultural and media contexts as a concept or title related to protection, guardianship, or dependency. While not tied to a single work, protegidos is used in discussions about narratives involving care, safety, and the responsibilities of protectors toward those under their care.

Related concepts include protection regimes (protección), protective status (estatus de protegido), and protected witnesses (testigos protegidos), among others.