Can the forced displacement of families ever be justified? This is a question that knows no borders as governments seek out locations for new highways, hospitals, universities, and, especially, airports. The people of Atenco, Mexico, argue against plans to put one on their farmlands.

If you find it unusual that a farmer is comparing compensation for his land with the cost of presidential bath linens, you are clearly not aware of the toallagate scandal that rocked Vicente Fox’s administration and led to resignations at Los Pinos. We’re not sure what kind of towel US $400 buys, but it best be pretty darned afelpado is all we can say!

Something that induces lagrimas (tears) is said to be lacrimógeno. So if you were organizing a Festival de cine lacrimógeno, only tear-jerkers would fit the bill. If, on the other hand, you were organizing a protest of the forced seizure of your family’s farm, you might find yourself crying because of the gas lacrimógeno wafting through the air.

In this installment of the dispute documentary we hear Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata quoted over a protester’s loudspeaker. As Zapata said: “¡Victoria o muerte!” (“Victory or death!”). To protest the taking of their farmland, the people of Atenco are using stronger and stronger language. Listen in.

Abraham Quintanilla, III (also known as the brother of late Tejano singer Selena) was one of the founding members of Los Kumbia Kings, a band he broke away from in early 2006 to form the Kumbia All-Starz, garnering many hits including "Speedy Gonzalez". The Kumbia All-Starz are from Texas.

Our lively guide, Alan, takes us to what he considers the paradise of all paradises- Balandra Beach in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Alan continues his animated tour of Baja California Sur, Mexico's gorgeous Balandra Beach, pointing out its attractions and introducing us to locals.

Mexican rock singer Alejandra Guzmán is known as the “Queen of Rock” in Latin America. Take a listen to her soulful singing in “Porque no estás aquí” (“Because You’re Not Here”), and you’ll see why. Those lyrics sung in that raspy voice get right into your core.

Who said that love songs can’t be fun? Even if we still don’t understand the relationship between the song and the video, we really enjoyed the adventures of this security guard in the middle of the night.

Aleks Syntek (born: Raúl Alejandro Escajadillo Peña) assumed a last name short for sin teclados (literally, without keyboards), a handle given by a friend from whom he had asked to borrow a synthesizer (looks like he bought a few since then!). This Mexican artist is well known for producing and writing songs for others as well as releasing his own records.

Foreign students who have gone to Monterrey, Mexico to study at Monterrey Technological Institute tell us about their experience there and the plethora of opportunities that the university has to offer.

Our good Mexican friends know a little about everything and they’re willing to teach us! When you get somewhere, what’s the first thing to do? Here you’ll learn how to greet friends, lovers and even grandmothers!

Mexico has a rich and varied architectural heritage that can be seen in its many classic colonial era plazas and buildings. The elementos of this historic architecture are preserved and utilized by today’s planners and builders, providing D.F. (Mexico City) with developments that are modern yet traditional and inviting, maintaining a sense of continuity with the past as the country pushes ahead into the 21st century.

Miguel, Alvaro and David have teamed up once again to tell us a little something about the weather and overall climate found in Mexico City and its environs. Pay attention to the words and vocabulary, as they will certainly be of use no matter where you travel!

Our good friends from México City are willing to talk about everything: good, bad or ugly. Here we have their take on kidnapping, one of the growing fears of Mexicans.

Are you ever confused about what to say to other pedestrians? Our Mexico City friends Miguel, Anvar and David have agreed to pass on a few tips regarding what to say, and when, as we navigate the streets and sidewalks of the habla hispana (the Spanish speaking world).

Partido de la Revolución Democrática is what PRD stands for, and Mexican presidential hopeful Manuel López Obrador has been with the organization since its infancy when was known as the “Democratic Current” (Corriente Democrática), a dissenting wing of the once indomitable PRI, Partido Revolucionario Institucional.

López Obrador’s campaign commercials really try to shake potential voters out of their sillas, attempting to give the potentially marginalized a strong message: “now it’s our turn, now it’s your turn!” He blatantly positions himself against the rich, those who “take the biggest piece of the cake.”

Just, as immigration is a big campaign issue in the US, emigration touches a nerve in Mexico. When Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrador ran for president of Mexico in 2006, he wanted to make it clear that his goal was to create jobs, in Mexico, so that would-be migrants would feel less need to flee north.

Should government pump money into the economy and generate jobs by financing giant public works projects? In the extremely close Mexican presidential election of 2006 (which he lost), Andrés Manuel López Obrador made it clear that that his answer is a decisive ¡Sí!

Political campaigns are tough (and they can get even tougher after the voting). In this video documenting Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidential race, we learn some of the tricks of the trade in Mexico.

Enjoying almost full support by his party as their presidential candidate, Andrés Manuel López Obrador stepped down from his post as Mayor of Mexico City, aka D.F. (Distrito Federal) to campaign for the presidency of Mexico in the 2006 elections against Felipe Calderón.

Útilies. It relates to school supplies, including notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, paper, scissors… anything children need to get through the school year. Not a big deal for the middle class, but it can be a serious challenge to those of lesser means. López Obrador made it a campaign promise that útilies would be provided free to all children throughout Mexico, just as he did for the children of Mexico City while he was mayor.

Ángela Aguilar, daughter of legendary Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar, performs her acclaimed interpretation of the enchanting traditional tune "La Llorona" in the official video. Enjoy!