Driver's door locked, latch rusted. How to open?
 

I have read a few thread about this similar situation:
http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...k-halfway.html
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...k-problem.html
http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...y-working.html
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...-problems.html
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...less-help.html
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...postid=2244993

None of which seems to refer to 5th gen...

Now my driver door wont open.
Same thing happens when I unlock with switch or key:
the lock knob does not go all the way back. (I also heard a jamming noise, as if the mechanism was trying to unlock 5-6 times within 1 sec)
My mechanic got a mini camera in the door through the window slot, seems like my latch is rusty.

The rod attached to the unlock knob cannot reach its "unlocked" position, the best it does is halfway between "locked" and "unlocked".

How can I open my door to replace the latch?

I tried to get to the rods by removing handle/window switches panel, but it is still very far from the latch.

What is the exact mechanism for this, do I need to force the rod IN the latch? I do not want to destoy my door panel just to change a freeking latch... what are my options to get my door opened?

"is there a locksmith in the room?"