Not just a third runway, the government of Mexico figures it needs a whole new national airport. Choosing the municipality of Texcoco in the valley of Mexico for the honor, President Fox signed the decree last autumn condemning the necessary land. The decision was greeted less than enthusiastically by the resident farmers whose fields are slated to become runways and concourses. They have responded by declaring themselves "communities in rebellion," and constructing trenches and barricades on the highways leading into Texcoco in order to keep the construction machinery out.

The campesinos, members of ejidos, (more or less communal land trusts bequeathed by the revolution) declare that the process is wholly unconstitutional and have appealed to the courts. They argue that, while the president has the authority to condemn land at a fair price for the benefit of the larger community, the new airport is intended to benefit only the corporate rich. They insist they don't want to trade their traditional lands for any amount of money and, in response to accusations that they are breaking the law with their barricades, have responded that they are only protecting their legal rights from the unlawful depredations of the powerful.

In addition to taking the government to court the campesinos sent a delegation to Chiapas seeking the support of the EZLN. Following their meeting, Zapatista commandantes Daniel and Moises vocalized their personal support. Official EZLN support however, and that of its spokesman, Subcommandante Marcos has to be decided by the CCRI, the Zapatistas' governing committee which has not yet returned an answer.

On January 5 the Subprocuador of Justice for the State of Mexico met with the campesinos to discuss ways to ease tensions between the blockaders and police forces. The meeting turned hostile after the government official virtually accused the campesinos of being delinquent subversives. The Subprocuador was last seen fleeing Texcoco on horseback with a large crowd of citizens in hot pursuit.

The municipal president, who the campesinos want removed from office for selling them out has since allowed that there might possibly be room for opening a discussion on the siting of the new airport. Perhaps there is a lesson here for dealing with the Port of Seattle?