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.
Childhood
Edith describes her childhood and how household labor was divided among family members.
Lack of Access to Education
Adán remembers the financial hardship experienced by his family when he was a child and which kept him from attending school.
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.
Murder of Two Grandmothers
Rosa tells how her grandmothers were murdered by the National Guard.
Organization and Repression
Élida describes the beginnings of social organization and protest, and relates an episode of violence that took place in her hamlet.
Repression in Arcatao
Alberto remembers when town inhabitants began to leave their homes as truckloads of soldiers arrived to Arcatao.
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”
Rosa remembers the “May Guinda” in 1982 and how she and her family managed to survive.
Escape to Mesa Grande
Víctor describes how the population in Arcatao fled to Mesa Grande, a refugee camp in Honduras, as part of the “May Guinda” in 1982.
The “May Guinda”
Arminda describes what it was like to be on the run during the “May Guinda.”
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.
Fleeing to Honduras
Rufino remembers when his family decided to flee towards a refugee camp in Honduras during a military operation called “El Carreño.”
The Mesa Grande Refugee Camp and Resettlement of Arcatao
Eduardo describes life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and the resettlement of Arcatao.
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.
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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.
Captured by the National Guard
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.
Commander Jesus Rojas
Maximina remembers guerrilla commander Jesús Rojas and the help he provided to Arcatao.
Tortured in Honduras
Edwin describes his detention and torture in Honduras.
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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 “Desembarco”: International Support
Lidia describes her experience of the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion of Arcatao in detail, pointing out how the arrest of foreign journalists changed the course of events.
The “Desembarco”
Lidia remembers the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion of Arcatao and tells how she was threatened during the weeks prior to the invasion.
Refugee Experiences
Emeteria remembers the process of resettlement in Guarjila after returning from the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
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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.
Historical Memory
Santiago points out the importance of historical memory as a valuable legacy for future generations.
The Peace Accords and the “Silent War”
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
Changes after the Peace Accords
Esperanza analyzes the changes she saw in El Salvador following 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.
Changing the System
Rosa explains her philosophy of struggle for social change.
A Message to the World
Eduardo calls out to all countries in the world with a message against war.
Demanding Justice
Dionisa demands justice and accountability for those who committed crimes.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice