Origins of Repression
Esperanza describes the repression that led many in Arcatao to leave their homes.
Displacement
Refuge in Mesa Grande
Amanda decides to flee with her children to the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras after her husband was killed in 1986.
Repression
Isidora describes the repression that led her and her family to leave their home.
Repression in Arcatao
Alberto remembers when town inhabitants began to leave their homes as truckloads of soldiers arrived to Arcatao.
Resettlement and the 1986 Invasion
Trinidad describes her experience of the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion in Arcatao, the involvement of a particular commander, and the resettlement process.
Returning to Arcatao
Virginia describes life at the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras, and her challenging trip back to Arcatao.
Surrounded by the Army
Celso remembers how he and his family were surrounded by soldiers during the Guinda de Mayo in 1982.
Surviving the May “Guinda”
Juana describes the hardships involved in the guinda, during which finding food was a challenge.
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 “Final Offensive”
Celestino tells the history of military repression and the early phase of armed resistance in Chalatenango leading up to the “Final Offensive” of 1981.
The “May Guinda”
Hermelinda remembers losing her children and three other close relatives during the “May Guinda.”
The “May 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.