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.
Damián reflects on the social inequality and social demands that led to the civil war, as well as rural organizing and the founding of the Union of Field Workers (UTC) in 1975.
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
Pedro describes how members of ORDEN killed his uncle and another woman.
Emeteria describes the brutal massacre of six women in the town of El Rincón on May 8, 1980.
Alberto describes his early days of political participation as a student and explains how the National Guard used blacklists as repression intensified.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Rosa describes a span of 22 days during the war during which she and her mom had no food to eat.
Rosa remembers the “May Guinda” in 1982 and how she and her family managed to survive.
Arminda describes what it was like to be on the run during the “May Guinda.”
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Edith describes living without shelter near the Honduran border and her family’s separation.
Élida explains how people were organized inside the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras and describes her return to Arcatao.
Gregorio explains that he never chose to take refuge in a camp.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Santiago describes his experience of multiple military operations, the “May Guinda,” and the disappearance of children.
Margarita describes her work as a nurse in the Rama Caida camp.
Gregorio describes daily life in the guerrilla camps.
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.
Aníbal describes his trips to the United States to recieve medical care for his injured hands.
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"
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by 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 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