Cascabel Airfield

Economic reasons. The airfield's closure is directly linked to the shutdown of the Lago Oil Refinery in March 1985. The airfield was a private facility owned and operated by the refinery. When the refinery ceased operations, the airfield's primary purpose became obsolete, leading to its closure and subsequent decommissioning.

The site has been completely redeveloped and repurposed for community and recreational use. It is now the location of a large sports complex, known as the 'Compleho Deportivo Guillermo Prospero Trinidad' or 'Lago Sport Park'. The area that once served as the runway and airfield grounds now contains multiple sports facilities, most notably the Palo Marga International Raceway Park (a drag racing strip), several baseball diamonds, and soccer fields.

Cascabel Airfield, more commonly known historically as 'Lago Field', was a private airfield with significant strategic importance. It was built by the Lago Oil & Transport Company (a subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey/Esso) during World War II. Its initial purpose was to support the U.S. military's defense of the strategically vital Lago refinery, which was a primary supplier of fuel for the Allied war effort. After the war, the airfield transitioned to a corporate aviation facility. It handled company aircraft transporting executives, essential personnel, mail, and urgent cargo between Aruba, the United States, and other company locations, playing a key logistical role in the operation of what was once one of the largest oil refineries in the world.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. The land has been permanently and extensively redeveloped into a major community sports hub. Given the complete repurposing of the site and Aruba's aviation needs being fully met by Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), a return to aviation use is considered highly improbable.