Aerial Bombardment
Dionisia remembers an episode in 1987, right after resettling in Guarjila, when the dropping of a bomb harmed her children.
Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Many Salvadorans returned from refugee camps in Honduras in the late 1980s, but faced continued repression upon their return. Refugees were stigmatized as guerrilla supporters. Just days after officially resettling Arcatao in early 1986, the population was targeted by military operations. In an operation which community members call the “Desembarco,” Arcatao was invaded by troops who arrived suddenly in helicopters. The population was ordered to go to the center of town, where the men were separated from the women and children. The men were interrogated and publicly tortured while the women and children were held in the church and threatened. Several men were taken by soldiers and disappeared. Survivors credit an intervention by foreign journalists, who were arrested in the operation, with preventing a larger massacre. Arcatao and other resettled populations found international support vital, including the humanitarian work of individuals and organizations, and sister relationships with cities and churches around the world.
Returning to Chalatenango
Élida provides an account of the long walks she and others had to take from Arcatao to Chalatenango in order to obtain food supplies, and tells about the first religious procession community members participated in after resettling Arcatao.
Surviving the 1986 Desembarco
Faustina narrates her experience during the 1986 invasion, during which people were intimidated, tortured, and killed by the military.
The “Carreño” and the “Desembarco”
Isabel remembers the 1986 invasion known as the “Desembarco” happened only a few days after the “El Carreño” military operation.
The “Desembarco”: International Support
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.
The “Desembarco”: Intervention of journalists
Evangelina describes the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion and massacre in Arcatao, and explains how the intervention of foreign journalists prevented killings of greater magnitude.
The “El Carreño” Operation
Jorge describes his capture during the “El Carreño” operation in 1986.
The 1986 “Desembarco” Invasion
Toribio remembers the 1986 invasion of Arcatao, known as the “Desembarco”, and how he and his family fled town to hide in a cave.
The 1986 “Desembarco” Invasion: Combat
Adán relates the 1986 invasion of Arcatao and describes combat between the guerrilla and military.
The Desembarco Massacre
Amanda describes the 1986 invasion of Arcatao, known as the “Desembarco massacre,” in which her husband was killed by the military while she was elsewhere caring for a sick child.
Community-trained Teachers
Obdulio describes the war left Arcatao without priests, and community-trained teachers (called “popular teachers”) began to emerge around 1987.
Initial Resettlements
Lucía relates the challenges experienced as she and her family made the trip back home to San Antonio Los Ranchos after being refugees in Honduras.