La Cienega Airstrip

The airstrip was most likely closed and rendered unusable by Mexican military or federal law enforcement authorities. The method of closure—digging deep trenches or building berms across the runway at regular intervals—is a standard procedure used by the Mexican Army (SEDENA) to disable clandestine or unregulated airstrips suspected of being used for illicit activities, primarily drug trafficking. Its location in a strategic corridor in Sonora, relatively close to the U.S. border, made it a high-risk asset for use by cartels.

The site is abandoned and permanently unusable for aviation. High-resolution satellite imagery clearly shows the dirt runway is still visible, but it has been intentionally disabled. There are numerous large trenches or earthen berms cut perpendicular to the runway's direction, making any takeoff or landing impossible. The surrounding area continues to be used for agriculture, with cultivated fields directly adjacent to the defunct airstrip. There are no remaining airport facilities or buildings of note.

La Cienega Airstrip had no major national or historical significance as a public airport. It was a private, rural airstrip. Its primary legitimate purpose was likely to serve the significant agricultural operations in the surrounding valley, supporting activities such as crop dusting (fumigation) and providing private air transport for local ranch owners or agricultural businesses. However, its operational history is overshadowed by its probable use for narco-trafficking, which ultimately led to its forced closure. It was not a commercial airport and did not handle scheduled passenger or cargo flights.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening La Cienega Airstrip. Given that it was forcibly closed by government authorities to prevent criminal activity, it is extremely unlikely that it would ever be permitted to become operational again. Any attempt to repair the runway would almost certainly draw immediate and severe attention from the Mexican military and federal police. For all practical purposes, the airstrip is considered permanently closed.