Causes of the War
Obdulio connects the origins of the war to the injustices that the Salvadoran government put its people through.
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.
Obdulio connects the origins of the war to the injustices that the Salvadoran government put its people through.
Evangelina remembers her childhood days of fishing on the Lempa River.
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
Patricia describes an episode in which women were treated aggressively in public by members of ORDEN.
Toribio describes an invasion and aerial bombing campaign that happened between 1980 and 1981.
Alberto narrates how his older brother, who was mentally ill, died during a military operation.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Rufino remembers the efforts people made to cross the Sumpul River during the “May Guinda.”
Virginia remembers the “May Guinda” and how she and her children managed to survive.
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.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Maximina describes the harsh conditions experienced in the refugee camp at La Virtud, Honduras.
Pedro describes his experience living in Mesa Grande, a refugee camp in Honduras, and shares his memories of resettling in Guarjila.
Virginia describes life at the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras, and her challenging trip back to Arcatao.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Trinidad tells how she was informed of son’s death in the guerrilla, and she describes a back injury that she suffered due to a mortar explosion.
Maximina recalls being ill in a guerrilla hospital when she was captured, then taken away in a helicopter, threatened, and transported to San Salvador to be interrogated.
Edwin gives detailed testimony of his arrest and interrogation in Honduras.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Evangelina describes the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion and massacre in Arcatao, and explains how the intervention of foreign journalists prevented killings of greater magnitude.
Emeteria remembers the process of resettlement in Guarjila after returning from the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Carlota remembers a grenade explosion in her home during the 1986 invasion and the threats to the civilian population inside the town church.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
Esperanza analyzes the changes she saw in El Salvador following the Peace Accords.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Rosa reflects on the importance of historical memory.
Rosa explains her philosophy of struggle for social change.
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice