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.
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
Otilia remembers soldiers storming in during a religious ceremony and killing her brother.
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.
Isabel remembers the first days of repression in Arcatao during which the military killed his mother.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Virginia remembers the “May Guinda” and how she and her children managed to survive.
Hermelinda remembers losing her children during the “May Guinda,” and says she always wondered whether the military had taken them away.
Aníbal describes the hardships he and his mother experienced during the “May Guinda.”
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Maximina describes the harsh conditions experienced in the refugee camp at La Virtud, Honduras.
Lucía describes how people were organized at the Mesa Grande refugee camp and why she finally decided to return home.
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
Maximina remembers guerrilla commander Jesús Rojas and the help he provided to Arcatao.
Maximina explains her sister’s and her role in the guerrilla during the armed conflict.
Edwin describes his detention and torture in Honduras.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Virginia remembers the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion in Arcatao, in which seven men were killed by the military, and explains how events were changed by the reports of foreign journalists who were arrested during the operation.
Jorge describes his capture during the “El Carreño” operation in 1986.
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.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Santiago points out the importance of historical memory as a valuable legacy for future generations.
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
Walter explains that combat between government forces and the guerrillas intensified during the negotiation of the Peace Accords.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Eduardo calls out to all countries in the world with a message against war.
Dionisa demands justice and accountability for those who committed crimes.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice