Reasons for Organizing
Margarita shares her views on the inequality, poverty, and exclusion that led rural Salvadorans to organize.
Testimony Archive
The Unfinished Sentences Testimony Archive is composed of oral histories shared by 48 people who were residents of the community of Arcatao, in the department of Chalatenango, El Salvador, during the period of the Salvadoran civil war. More than 170 interview excerpts tell the story of the civil war from the perspective of people who experienced it first-hand. Interviews were conducted during November 2013 through August 2014. The testimonies are organized into thematic “Chapters” that focus on different aspects of the conflict in roughly chronological order.
Due to the nature of the experiences discussed in the testimonies, users may find the contents of the archive disturbing: topics include rape, torture, death, and severe hardship. On the other hand, the archive also features narratives of resilience, survival, and mutual assistance in triumphing over adversity.
Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
El Salvador’s civil war has its roots in the deeply unequal social structures established during the 16th century Spanish colonization of Central America.
The Soccer War
Clara recalls the Soccer War between El Salvador and Honduras, and staying behind with her children while her husband slept somewhere in the mountains.
Reasons to Organize
Víctor reflects on the reasons that led people to organize.
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Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
The 1970s saw escalating tensions and growing violence in El Salvador.
Fleeing Repression
Patricia describes the difficulty of deciding to leave their homes for the first time to avoid repression and violence after her husband and brother had been detained.
El Rincón Massacre
Isidora describes the massacre of six women at El Rincón.
Torture
Víctor describes being detained along with 18 other people and explains how they were tortured.
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Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
During the 1980s, thousands of people were displaced from their homes by violence in rural El Salvador.
Escape to Mesa Grande
Víctor describes how the population in Arcatao fled to Mesa Grande, a refugee camp in Honduras, as part of the “May Guinda” in 1982.
The Years of “Guindas”
Amanda remembers years of military operations which led the civilian population to flee in fear of being massacred.
The “May Guinda”: The Sumpul River Massacre
Berta describes her experience during the “May Guinda” and a massacre of civilians during the crossing of the Sumpul River.
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Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Faced with overwhelming violence, displaced populations faced difficult decisions about whether to leave El Salvador, and when to return. Some people sought safety elsewhere within the country.
The Mesa Grande Refugee Camp
Isidora recalls her experience in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras, describing how activities within the camp were divided up between people living there.
Life in the Mesa Grande Refugee Camp
Élida explains how people were organized inside the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and describes her return to Arcatao.
Staying in El Salvador
Gregorio explains that he never chose to take refuge in a camp.
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Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Salvadorans who supported the guerrilla groups had a wide range of reasons for doing so, and varied experiences in the movement.
Role in the Guerrilla
Maximina explains her sister’s and her role in the guerrilla during the armed conflict.
Interrogation in Honduras
Edwin gives detailed testimony of his arrest and interrogation in Honduras.
Work in the Guerrilla Camps
Gregorio describes daily life in the guerrilla camps.
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Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Many Salvadorans returned from refugee camps in Honduras in the late 1980s, but faced continued repression upon their return. Refugees were stigmatized as guerrilla supporters.
The 1986 “Desembarco” Invasion
Toribio remembers the 1986 invasion of Arcatao, known as the “Desembarco”, and how he and his family fled town to hide in a cave.
Initial Resettlements
Lucía relates the challenges experienced as she and her family made the trip back home to San Antonio Los Ranchos after being refugees in Honduras.
Resettlement and Dangers of Landmines
Emeteria describes the process of resettlement in Guarjila, Chalatenango, and the dangers returnees faced due to landmines.
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Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
El Salvador’s civil war officially ended in 1992, but the country continues to experience deep divisions and ongoing issues of inequality, insecurity, violence, and lack of access to justice.
Importance of Historical Memory
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
Post-War Progress
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
Negotiating the Peace Accords
Celestino remembers the process that led to the Peace Accords and why it was difficult for the guerrillas to agree to give up their arms.
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Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice
Today, survivors of grave human rights violations committed during El Salvador’s civil war continue to struggle for truth and justice.
Historical Memory
Rosa reflects on the importance of historical memory.
Changing the System
Rosa explains her philosophy of struggle for social change.
Death of a Father
Herlindo explains that his father died during the war and that, decades later, he returned from his life in Sweden to exhume his father’s remains.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice