The Origins of the War
Trinidad analyzes the causes that prompted the war.
Testimony Archive
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.
Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
El Salvador’s civil war has its roots in the deeply unequal social structures established during the 16th century Spanish colonization of Central America.
Childhood
Edith describes her childhood and how household labor was divided among family members.
Causes of the War
Cástulo shares his thoughts on the causes of the war, the injustices and oppression he witnessed, and how that fueled political organization.
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Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
The 1970s saw escalating tensions and growing violence in El Salvador.
Fleeing Repression
Patricia describes the difficulty of deciding to leave their homes for the first time to avoid repression and violence after her husband and brother had been detained.
Detained by the Army
Nelson explains he was arrested for disobeying orders by the army to participate in paramilitary patrols.
Injured As A Child During Attack
Anibal describes an attack on his family in which his father and sister killed, and he and his mother were wounded.
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Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
During the 1980s, thousands of people were displaced from their homes by violence in rural El Salvador.
The “May Guinda”
Marta recounts how she and her family fled during the “May Guinda” and the hardships they faced.
Escape to Mesa Grande
Víctor describes how the population in Arcatao fled to Mesa Grande, a refugee camp in Honduras, as part of the “May Guinda” in 1982.
First Large-Scale Military Operations
Carlota recalls the first large-scale military operations which drove the population to flee.
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Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Faced with overwhelming violence, displaced populations faced difficult decisions about whether to leave El Salvador, and when to return. Some people sought safety elsewhere within the country.
Fleeing to Honduras
Rufino remembers when his family decided to flee towards a refugee camp in Honduras during a military operation called “El Carreño.”
Husband’s Capture
Dionisia describes how her husband never made it to the refugee camp Mesa Grande in Honduras, as he was captured and assassinated.
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.
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Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Salvadorans who supported the guerrilla groups had a wide range of reasons for doing so, and varied experiences in the movement.
Hand Accident
Rufino explains that he lost his hand during a training exercise with the guerrilla, but continued to serve as a combatant and bodyguard.
Work of a Healthcare Worker
Margarita describes her work as a nurse in the Rama Caida camp.
Interrogation in Honduras
Edwin gives detailed testimony of his arrest and interrogation in Honduras.
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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.
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 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.
The 1986 Invasion
Carlota remembers a grenade explosion in her home during the 1986 invasion and the threats to the civilian population inside the town church.
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Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
El Salvador’s civil war officially ended in 1992, but the country continues to experience deep divisions and ongoing issues of inequality, insecurity, violence, and lack of access to justice.
Importance of Historical Memory
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
Message to Other Countries
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by war.
Negotiating the Peace Accords
Celestino remembers the process that led to the Peace Accords and why it was difficult for the guerrillas to agree to give up their arms.
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Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice
Today, survivors of grave human rights violations committed during El Salvador’s civil war continue to struggle for truth and justice.
Historical Memory
Rosa reflects on the importance of historical memory.
Exhumations
Rosa comments on the importance of having the remains of her two grandmothers exhumed.
The Importance of Exhumations
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice