Causes of the War
Obdulio connects the origins of the war to the injustices that the Salvadoran government put its people through.
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.
Obdulio connects the origins of the war to the injustices that the Salvadoran government put its people through.
Herlindo shares his view on the causes of the Salvadoran civil war and the general consequences that armed conflicts bring about.
Edith describes her childhood and how household labor was divided among family members.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Nelson explains he was arrested for disobeying orders by the army to participate in paramilitary patrols.
Obdulio explains the reasons that led people to organize.
Lucía remembers early experiences as a girl attending political meetings with her parents, and the killing of her mother and others; and reflects on exhumation process.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Aníbal describes the hardships he and his mother experienced during the “May Guinda.”
Gregorio remembers the deployment of 14,000 Salvadoran and Honduran soldiers during the 1982 “May Guinda”, and contrasts this with later military operations.
Carlota recalls the first large-scale military operations which drove the population to flee.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Rufino remembers when his family decided to flee towards a refugee camp in Honduras during a military operation called “El Carreño.”
Maximina describes the harsh conditions experienced in the refugee camp at La Virtud, Honduras.
Berta explains her decision not to go to Honduras as a refugee, and the difficulties of living alone in El Salvador during wartime.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Maximina remembers guerrilla commander Jesús Rojas and the help he provided to Arcatao.
Marta describes the difficulty of life as a guerrilla and her process of leaving the organization.
Edwin describes his detention and torture in Honduras.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Nelson describes the 1986 invasion of Arcatao by the military, during which the population was separated, with women held inside the church while men were lined up outside to be interrogated and tortured.
Lucía relates the challenges experienced as she and her family made the trip back home to San Antonio Los Ranchos after being refugees in Honduras.
Adán relates the 1986 invasion of Arcatao and describes combat between the guerrilla and military.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Santiago points out the importance of historical memory as a valuable legacy for future generations.
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.
Walter explains that combat between government forces and the guerrillas intensified during the negotiation of the Peace Accords.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Rosa comments on the importance of having the remains of her two grandmothers exhumed.
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
Eduardo calls out to all countries in the world with a message against war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice