The Origins of the War
Trinidad analyzes the causes that prompted the war.
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.
Trinidad analyzes the causes that prompted the war.
Víctor reflects on the reasons that led people to organize.
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
Santiago lists some of the rural political organizations which were present in Chalatenango.
Víctor remembers a few iconic moments of his political involvement prior to the armed conflict: the 1975 student massacre, his participation in the UTC, and his experience of detainment and torture by the National Guard in 1976.
Celestino explains that the paramilitaries were the harshest forces during the war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Rufino remembers the efforts people made to cross the Sumpul River during the “May Guinda.”
Élida narrates how she and others survived the “May Guinda” in 1982 by waiting until nighttime to walk in order to avoid detection by the military.
Amanda remembers years of military operations which led the civilian population to flee in fear of being massacred.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
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.
Evangelina describes living conditions in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Eduardo describes life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and the resettlement of Arcatao.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Santiago describes his experience of multiple military operations, the “May Guinda,” and the disappearance of children.
Edwin describes being sent by his superiors to do logistical work for the guerrilla in Honduras.
Edwin describes his detention and torture in Honduras.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Trinidad describes her experience of the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion in Arcatao, the involvement of a particular commander, and the resettlement process.
Obdulio describes the war left Arcatao without priests, and community-trained teachers (called “popular teachers”) began to emerge around 1987.
Dionisia remembers an episode in 1987, right after resettling in Guarjila, when the dropping of a bomb harmed her children.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by war.
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
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 philosophy of struggle for social change.
Rosa comments on the importance of having the remains of her two grandmothers exhumed.
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice