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.
Edith describes her childhood and how household labor was divided among family members.
Adán remembers the financial hardship experienced by his family when he was a child and which kept him from attending school.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Rosa tells how her grandmothers were murdered by the National Guard.
Obdulio explains the reasons that led people to organize.
Carlota remembers the challenging economic conditions that inhabitants of Arcatao experienced during the war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Hermelinda explains the meaning of the term “guinda”.
Isabel recalls being on the run and crossing the Sumpul River during the 1982 “May Guinda,” during which the military killed hundreds of civilians.
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"
Isabel describes the difficulties of life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Evangelina describes living conditions in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Élida explains how people were organized inside the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and describes her return to Arcatao.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Marta remembers her recruitment by the guerrilla at age 14 and describes her work as a medical worker within the organization.
Edwin describes his role in transporting weapons for the guerrilla to and from Honduras and his arrest.
Edwin gives detailed testimony of his arrest and interrogation in Honduras.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Lidia describes her experience of the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion of Arcatao in detail, pointing out how the arrest of foreign journalists changed the course of events.
Clara describes her experience of the 1986 invasion in Arcatao, during which town residents were locked inside the church.
Marta narrates her experience of the 1986 invasion of Arcatao, at a time when she was pregnant, and how her husband was killed by the military.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by war.
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the 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 philosophy of struggle for social change.
Rosa comments on the importance of having the remains of her two grandmothers exhumed.
Berta relates how her youngest son died and describes her wish for his prompt exhumation.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice