The Origins of the War
Trinidad analyzes the causes that prompted the war.
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. 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.
Origins of the Conflict
Damián reflects on the social inequality and social demands that led to the civil war, as well as rural organizing and the founding of the Union of Field Workers (UTC) in 1975.
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Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
The 1970s saw escalating tensions and growing violence in El Salvador.
Attack During Religious Ceremony
Otilia remembers soldiers storming in during a religious ceremony and killing her brother.
Torture
Víctor describes being detained along with 18 other people and explains how they were tortured.
Repression in Arcatao
Alberto remembers when town inhabitants began to leave their homes as truckloads of soldiers arrived to Arcatao.
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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.
The “May Guinda”
Toribio remembers how he and his family survived the 1982 “May Guinda”.
Military Cooperation
Santiago describes cooperation between Honduran, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran military forces.
Fleeing to Honduras
Arminda relates how her family migrated to Honduras and lived among the Honduran population.
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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.
Fleeing to Honduras
Rufino remembers when his family decided to flee towards a refugee camp in Honduras during a military operation called “El Carreño.”
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
Evangelina describes living conditions in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
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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.
Work of a Healthcare Worker
Margarita describes her work as a nurse in the Rama Caida camp.
Decision to Desert
Marta describes the difficulty of life as a guerrilla and her process of leaving the organization.
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 “Carreño” and the “Desembarco”
Isabel remembers the 1986 invasion known as the “Desembarco” happened only a few days after the “El Carreño” military operation.
Resettlement and Dangers of Landmines
Emeteria describes the process of resettlement in Guarjila, Chalatenango, and the dangers returnees faced due to landmines.
The 1986 Invasion: Interrogation of Women & Children
Esperanza describes the 1986 invasion in Arcatao, and relates how children were interrogated 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.
Historical Memory
Santiago points out the importance of historical memory as a valuable legacy for future generations.
Post-War Progress
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
Negotiating the Peace Accords
Celestino remembers the process that led to the Peace Accords and why it was difficult for the guerrillas to agree to give up their arms.
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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.
The Importance of Exhumations
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
A Message to the World
Eduardo calls out to all countries in the world with a message against war.
Importance of Exhumations
Berta relates how her youngest son died and describes her wish for his prompt exhumation.
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