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.
Edwin explains how state respression of movements for change led to the decision to take up armed struggle.
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 explains her role in political organizing, she recounts the 1980 El Rincón massacre and the killings of her parents, and describes the role of clandestine militias.
Nelson explains he was arrested for disobeying orders by the army to participate in paramilitary patrols.
Nelson tells about various massacres that took place around Arcatao.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Toribio remembers how he and his family survived the 1982 “May Guinda”.
Virginia remembers the “May Guinda” and how she and her children managed to survive.
Celso remembers how he and his family were surrounded by soldiers during the Guinda de Mayo in 1982.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Isabel describes the difficulties of life 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.
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 describes the operation that led to the Zapote massacre, in which her pregnant sister and Commander Jesús Rojas died.
Maximina explains her sister’s and her role in the guerrilla during the armed conflict.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Rosa relates her experience of the 1986 invasion, which took place shortly after she and her family had resettled in Arcatao.
Esperanza describes the 1986 invasion in Arcatao, and relates how children were interrogated by the military.
Celestino reflects on one of the most moving moments of his life – the resettlement of the community of San José Las Flores.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Santiago points out the importance of historical memory as a valuable legacy for future generations.
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
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.
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice