Berta describes her experience during the “May Guinda” and a massacre of civilians during the crossing of the Sumpul River.
- Chapter:
- Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
- Interviewee:
- Berta
Transcription
When they chased us into the Sumpul River, we came through through a firefight at San Isidro. I was there, and the river was very deep. They had even opened the floodgates of the Guayabo dam. A man called Reyes Dubón was there, he now lives around Sonsonate. A child had been left behind, and he picked him up. He didn't realize it was his own grandson. He put him on his neck. They came in shooting, through Los Amates towards the Sumpul River. And that child, he didn’t know it was his grandson who had been left behind. When we went down to the river, they had opened the Guayabo floodgates, and all the people were like this... I was lost, all by myself, I think it was around San Isidro, but I’m not sure. But everyone just had to fight for their life. I was running when I saw that old man grab the kid and put him up on his neck. And he didn’t know it was his own grandson that had been left behind. When we got to the other side of the river, there was a big sandy beach. And there were so many people running around, they didn’t let the old man stand up with the kid on his neck. So he said,”Go to your grandfather.” “I’ve done my part” The women were running on the beach and he couldn't stand up. And the Sumpul River was so deep...