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.
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.
Clara recalls the Soccer War between El Salvador and Honduras, and staying behind with her children while her husband slept somewhere in the mountains.
Herlindo shares his view on the causes of the Salvadoran civil war and the general consequences that armed conflicts bring about.
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
Otilia remembers soldiers storming in during a religious ceremony and killing her brother.
Pedro describes growing up fatherless after soldiers killed his father.
Esperanza describes the repression that led many in Arcatao to leave their homes.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Hermelinda remembers losing her children and three other close relatives during the “May Guinda.”
Aníbal describes the hardships he and his mother experienced during the “May Guinda.”
Celestino remembers how he and his family survived during the “May Guinda” in 1982, when many died while attempting to cross the Sumpúl River.
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.
Eduardo describes life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and the resettlement of Arcatao.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Rufino explains that he lost his hand during a training exercise with the guerrilla, but continued to serve as a combatant and bodyguard.
Gregorio describes daily life in the guerrilla camps.
Cástulo describes the kind of organized labor the guerrilla carried out during guindas in order to support the civilian population.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Lidia remembers the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion of Arcatao and tells how she was threatened during the weeks prior to the invasion.
Isabel remembers the 1986 invasion known as the “Desembarco” happened only a few days after the “El Carreño” military operation.
Emeteria describes the process of resettlement in Guarjila, Chalatenango, and the dangers returnees faced due to landmines.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Santiago points out the importance of historical memory as a valuable legacy for future generations.
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by war.
Esperanza analyzes the changes she saw in El Salvador following the Peace Accords.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Rosa explains her opinions on economic reparations and the need to struggle against impunity.
Herlindo explains that his father died during the war and that, decades later, he returned from his life in Sweden to exhume his father’s remains.
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice