Reasons for Organizing
Margarita shares her views on the inequality, poverty, and exclusion that led rural Salvadorans to organize.
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.
Margarita shares her views on the inequality, poverty, and exclusion that led rural Salvadorans to organize.
Herlindo shares his view on the causes of the Salvadoran civil war and the general consequences that armed conflicts bring about.
Evangelina remembers her childhood days of fishing on the Lempa River.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Celso describes how he was captured and tortured by the military and National Guard.
Alberto describes his early days of political participation as a student and explains how the National Guard used blacklists as repression intensified.
Arminda remembers experiencing the first bombings as a child and being so curious she wasn’t even scared.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Virginia remembers the “May Guinda” and how she and her children managed to survive.
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.
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"
Pedro describes his experience living in Mesa Grande, a refugee camp in Honduras, and shares his memories of resettling in Guarjila.
Gregorio explains that he never chose to take refuge in a camp.
Dionisia describes how her husband never made it to the refugee camp Mesa Grande in Honduras, as he was captured and assassinated.
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.
Maximina recalls being ill in a guerrilla hospital when she was captured, then taken away in a helicopter, threatened, and transported to San Salvador to be interrogated.
Edwin describes his role in transporting weapons for the guerrilla to and from Honduras and his arrest.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Hermelinda remembers how a nun’s initiative helped prompt a community embroidery group in 1989.
Isabel remembers the 1986 invasion known as the “Desembarco” happened only a few days after the “El Carreño” military operation.
Faustina narrates her experience during the 1986 invasion, during which people were intimidated, tortured, and killed by the military.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Trinidad explains the military did not fully abide by the Peace Accords during the resettlment process.
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Eduardo calls out to all countries in the world with a message against war.
Dionisa demands justice and accountability for those who committed crimes.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice