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.
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.
Fishing on the Lempa River
Evangelina remembers her childhood days of fishing on the Lempa River.
Our Only Crime
Edwin explains how state respression of movements for change led to the decision to take up armed struggle.
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.
The El Rincón Massacre
Nelson describes the brutality with which six women, four pregnant, were killed by the military in the El Rincón massacre.
Leaving Home
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.
Disrespect for Human Rights by Armed Forces
Adán asserts that the Salvadoran Armed Forces did not respect human rights, mentioning the assassination of priests like Archbishop Romero.
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.
Disappeared children
Hermelinda remembers losing her children during the “May Guinda,” and says she always wondered whether the military had taken them away.
The “May Guinda” as a Young Girl
Edith remembers experiencing the “May Guinda” as a young girl, including the difficulty of finding food and seeing wounded people all around her.
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.
Mesa Grande and Resettlement
Pedro describes his experience living in Mesa Grande, a refugee camp in Honduras, and shares his memories of resettling in Guarjila.
Life in the Mesa Grande Refugee Camp
Isabel describes the difficulties of life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Husband’s Capture
Dionisia describes how her husband never made it to the refugee camp Mesa Grande in Honduras, as he was captured and assassinated.
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.
Arrested in Honduras
Edwin describes his role in transporting weapons for the guerrilla to and from Honduras and his arrest.
Work in the Guerrilla Camps
Gregorio describes daily life in the guerrilla camps.
Supporting the Civilian Population
Cástulo describes the kind of organized labor the guerrilla carried out during guindas in order to support the civilian population.
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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 Invasion of Arcatao
Marta narrates her experience of the 1986 invasion of Arcatao, at a time when she was pregnant, and how her husband was killed by the military.
Initial Resettlements
Celestino reflects on one of the most moving moments of his life – the resettlement of the community of San José Las Flores.
Aerial Bombardment
Dionisia remembers an episode in 1987, right after resettling in Guarjila, when the dropping of a bomb harmed her children.
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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.
The Peace Accords and the “Silent War”
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
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.
The Peace Accords
Walter explains that combat between government forces and the guerrillas intensified during the negotiation of the Peace Accords.
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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.
Reparations and the Struggle Against Impunity
Rosa explains her opinions on economic reparations and the need to struggle against impunity.
Achieving Justice
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
Demanding Justice
Dionisa demands justice and accountability for those who committed crimes.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice