A Texas rancher was killed after his vehicle triggered an explosive device on his property in Mexico, marking another deadly escalation of cartel violence near the U.S. border. Officials are now urging farmers, ranchers, and travelers to exercise extreme caution.
The victim, Antonio Céspedes Saldierna, 74, was checking on his ranch in Tamaulipas when the blast occurred. Another man, Horacio Lopez Peña, was also killed, while Peña’s wife suffered serious injuries.
BREAKING: Texas rancher killed by cartel IED near Southern border, officials say.
"This shocking act of violence highlights the growing threat posed by cartel activity along our southern border." pic.twitter.com/0Fyj7EDU3C
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 25, 2025
“This act of violence underscores the growing cartel threat along our border,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warned. “We cannot overlook the dangers facing our communities.”
A rancher was killed by an IED in Texas
Which is horrific
But I find the warning from the TX Ag Commissioner alarming too
He says "avoid dirt roads" & "cartel-controlled regions"
WTH?
The warning should be
Watch out for the 82 ABN coming to eradicate the cartels pic.twitter.com/zCyjceuhJY— Jim Hanson (@JimHansonDC) February 25, 2025
Mexican authorities recently issued a public advisory about explosive devices being left behind by cartels, particularly in rural areas. The U.S. Consulate has also discouraged travel to parts of Tamaulipas due to security concerns.
Céspedes’ son, a U.S. Army veteran, described the attack as “terrorism,” pointing out similarities to tactics used in war zones. “If this happened overseas, we’d call it an act of terror,” he said.
STATEMENT: A tragic and alarming incident occurred near Brownsville, Texas, where a U.S. citizen and Texas rancher was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) #TexasAgricultureMatters
READ HERE: https://t.co/1VdIW1mYcD pic.twitter.com/dt1vKfgaMa
— Texas Agriculture (@TexasDeptofAg) February 25, 2025
With concerns mounting, the Trump administration has ramped up pressure on Mexican officials to take stronger action against cartels. Meanwhile, border security officials are monitoring cartel activity to prevent further incidents.
