Causes of the War
Herlindo shares his view on the causes of the Salvadoran civil war and the general consequences that armed conflicts bring about.
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.
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.
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
Rosa tells how her grandmothers were murdered by the National Guard.
Santiago lists some of the rural political organizations which were present in Chalatenango.
Celestino explains that the paramilitaries were the harshest forces during the war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Rosa describes how the “May Guinda” of 1982 was the hardest guinda of all, and how during those 27 days her brother and other relatives died.
Celestino remembers how he and his family survived during the “May Guinda” in 1982, when many died while attempting to cross the Sumpúl River.
Carlota remembers fleeing with her newborn during the “May Guinda” in 1982.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Lucía describes how people were organized at the Mesa Grande refugee camp and why she finally decided to return home.
Eduardo describes life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and the resettlement of Arcatao.
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
Santiago describes his experience of multiple military operations, the “May Guinda,” and the disappearance of children.
Trinidad tells how she was informed of son’s death in the guerrilla, and she describes a back injury that she suffered due to a mortar explosion.
Maximina describes the operation that led to the Zapote massacre, in which her pregnant sister and Commander Jesús Rojas died.
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.
Jorge describes his capture during the “El Carreño” operation in 1986.
Adán relates the 1986 invasion of Arcatao and describes combat between the guerrilla and 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.
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by war.
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.
Herlindo explains that his father died during the war and that, decades later, he returned from his life in Sweden to exhume his father’s remains.
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice