The Origins of the War
Trinidad analyzes the causes that prompted the war.
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.
Reasons for Organizing
Margarita shares her views on the inequality, poverty, and exclusion that led rural Salvadorans to organize.
Origins of the Conflict
Damián reflects on the social inequality and social demands that led to the civil war, as well as rural organizing and the founding of the Union of Field Workers (UTC) in 1975.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
The 1970s saw escalating tensions and growing violence in El Salvador.
Injured As A Child During Attack
Anibal describes an attack on his family in which his father and sister killed, and he and his mother were wounded.
Good Soldiers
Faustina remembers the daily exchanges with soldiers, which leads her to think they were not evil themselves but rather trained to do evil things.
Massacre of El Rincón
Emeteria describes the brutal massacre of six women in the town of El Rincón on May 8, 1980.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
During the 1980s, thousands of people were displaced from their homes by violence in rural El Salvador.
The “May Guinda”
Virginia remembers the “May Guinda” and how she and her children managed to survive.
Death of a Son
Virginia narrates how she fled from military operations with her children and recounts the day her nine-year-old son died, and she was unable to bury him.
Disappeared children
Hermelinda remembers losing her children during the “May Guinda,” and says she always wondered whether the military had taken them away.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
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
Lucía describes how people were organized at the Mesa Grande refugee camp and why she finally decided to return home.
Staying in El Salvador
Gregorio explains that he never chose to take refuge in a camp.
Choosing to Stay Behind
Berta explains her decision not to go to Honduras as a refugee, and the difficulties of living alone in El Salvador during wartime.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
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.
Recruitment of Minors
Marta remembers her recruitment by the guerrilla at age 14 and describes her work as a medical worker within the organization.
Role in the Guerrilla
Maximina explains her sister’s and her role in the guerrilla during the armed conflict.
Joining the Guerrilla as a Cook
Carlota explains how she joined the guerrilla as a cook.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
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.
Medical Care in the United States
Aníbal describes his trips to the United States to recieve medical care for his injured hands.
Returning to Chalatenango
Élida provides an account of the long walks she and others had to take from Arcatao to Chalatenango in order to obtain food supplies, and tells about the first religious procession community members participated in after resettling Arcatao.
Initial Resettlements
Celestino reflects on one of the most moving moments of his life – the resettlement of the community of San José Las Flores.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
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.
Historical Memory
Santiago points out the importance of historical memory as a valuable legacy for future generations.
Post-War Progress
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
The Peace Accords and the “Silent War”
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
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.
The Importance of Exhumations
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Achieving Justice
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
A Message to the World
Eduardo calls out to all countries in the world with a message against war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice