The Origins of the War
Trinidad analyzes the causes that prompted the war.
Addressing human rights in the wake of human tragedy
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. 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.
Trinidad analyzes the causes that prompted the war.
Edith describes her childhood and how household labor was divided among family members.
Cástulo shares his thoughts on the causes of the war, the injustices and oppression he witnessed, and how that fueled political organization.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Santiago lists some of the rural political organizations which were present in Chalatenango.
Clara reflects on the fear that soldiers instilled in her through their behavior but she also comments on the power of figures like Monsignor Romero.
Hermelinda remembers being pregnant the first time people in Arcatao left their homes, around 1980, when generalized repression began against the civilian population and everyone had to leave town.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Víctor describes how the population in Arcatao fled to Mesa Grande, a refugee camp in Honduras, as part of the “May Guinda” in 1982.
Celso remembers how he and his family were surrounded by soldiers during the Guinda de Mayo in 1982.
Carlota remembers fleeing with her newborn during the “May Guinda” in 1982.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Isabel describes the difficulties of life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Evangelina describes living conditions in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Élida explains how people were organized inside the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and describes her return to Arcatao.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Cástulo describes the kind of organized labor the guerrilla carried out during guindas in order to support the civilian population.
Walter remembers being a guerrilla during the 1982 “May Guinda” and surviving alongside his comrades.
Carlota explains how she joined the guerrilla as a cook.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Toribio remembers the 1986 invasion of Arcatao, known as the “Desembarco”, and how he and his family fled town to hide in a cave.
Margarita describes a time during the 1986 invasion when she thought her husband had been killed.
Clara describes her experience of the 1986 invasion in Arcatao, during which town residents were locked inside the church.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Trinidad explains the military did not fully abide by the Peace Accords during the resettlment process.
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by war.
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Rosa reflects on the importance of historical memory.
Rosa comments on the importance of having the remains of her two grandmothers exhumed.
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice