East Timor experienced a brutal invasion by Indonesia shortly after declaring independence in 1975, leading to a 24-year occupation marked by violence, sexual slavery, and widespread atrocities. Berta dos Santos, a survivor, recounted her traumatic experiences as a child during the invasion, while Major-General Americo Ximenes, a resistance leader, described the struggle to maintain armed resistance against overwhelming Indonesian forces. Despite the challenges, he and others fought valiantly, relying on captured weapons and resourcefulness. The horrific events of this period have left a lasting impact on the nation’s history and its people.
