Causes of the War
Herlindo shares his view on the causes of the Salvadoran civil war and the general consequences that armed conflicts bring about.
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.
Our Only Crime
Edwin explains how state respression of movements for change led to the decision to take up armed struggle.
Causes of the War
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
Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
The 1970s saw escalating tensions and growing violence in El Salvador.
Repression and Organizing
Rosa explains her role in political organizing, she recounts the 1980 El Rincón massacre and the killings of her parents, and describes the role of clandestine militias.
The El Rincón Massacre
Nelson describes the brutality with which six women, four pregnant, were killed by the military in the El Rincón massacre.
Persecution by the National Guard
Edwin relates how his family was persecuted by the National Guard, which led him and his younger brother to leave their school and home.
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Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
During the 1980s, thousands of people were displaced from their homes by violence in rural El Salvador.
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.
The “May Guinda”
Arminda describes what it was like to be on the run during the “May Guinda.”
The “May Guinda”: The Sumpul River Massacre
Berta describes her experience during the “May Guinda” and a massacre of civilians during the crossing of the Sumpul River.
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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.
Conditions of the La Virtud Refugee Camp
Maximina describes the harsh conditions experienced in the refugee camp at La Virtud, Honduras.
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.
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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.
The Massacre of El Zapote
Maximina describes the operation that led to the Zapote massacre, in which her pregnant sister and Commander Jesús Rojas died.
Arrested in Honduras
Edwin describes his role in transporting weapons for the guerrilla to and from Honduras and his arrest.
Hunger After Military Operations
Esperanza describes the difficulty of finding food after military operations and explains what living conditions were like in the guerrilla camps.
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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”
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.
Resettlement and Dangers of Landmines
Emeteria describes the process of resettlement in Guarjila, Chalatenango, and the dangers returnees faced due to landmines.
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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.
Importance of Historical Memory
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
Changes after the Peace Accords
Esperanza analyzes the changes she saw in El Salvador following the Peace Accords.
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.
Changing the System
Rosa explains her philosophy of struggle for social change.
Exhumations
Rosa comments on the importance of having the remains of her two grandmothers exhumed.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice