Causes of the War
Obdulio connects the origins of the war to the injustices that the Salvadoran government put its people through.
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.
Reasons to Organize
Víctor reflects on the reasons that led people to organize.
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.
El Rincón Massacre
Isidora describes the massacre of six women at El Rincón.
Good Soldiers
Faustina remembers the daily exchanges with soldiers, which leads her to think they were not evil themselves but rather trained to do evil things.
Torture
Víctor describes being detained along with 18 other people and explains how they were tortured.
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.
Military Cooperation
Santiago describes cooperation between Honduran, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran military forces.
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.
Las Aradas Massacre
Cástulo describes a massacre at Las Aradas on the Sumpul River in 1980 and shares some general reflections on the destructiveness of war.
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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.
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.
The Mesa Grande Refugee Camp
Isidora recalls her experience in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras, describing how activities within the camp were divided up between people living there.
Refuge in Mesa Grande
Amanda decides to flee with her children to the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras after her husband was killed in 1986.
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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.
Arrested in Honduras
Edwin describes his role in transporting weapons for the guerrilla to and from Honduras and his arrest.
Tortured in Honduras
Edwin describes his detention and torture in Honduras.
Joining the Guerrilla as a Cook
Carlota explains how she joined the guerrilla as a cook.
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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
Margarita describes a time during the 1986 invasion when she thought her husband had been killed.
The 1986 “Desembarco” Invasion: Inside the ChurchPrimary tabs
Clara describes her experience of the 1986 invasion in Arcatao, during which town residents were locked inside the church.
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.
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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
Trinidad explains the military did not fully abide by the Peace Accords during the resettlment process.
Importance of Historical Memory
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
The Peace Accords and the “Silent War”
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
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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.
The Importance of Exhumations
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Achieving Justice
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice