A Texas rancher met a tragic and violent end when he was killed by a suspected cartel-planted IED near the southern border, an incident that highlights the escalating danger spilling over from Mexico.
The Texas Department of Agriculture confirmed the shocking death and issued an urgent warning for residents and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley to stay vigilant, as reported by The New York Post.
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
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Antonio Céspedes Saldierna, 74, a rancher who operated on both sides of the border, was driving across his land in Tamaulipas, just south of Brownsville, Texas, when his vehicle struck an explosive device.
The detonation killed him and Horacio Lopez Peña while seriously injuring Peña’s wife, Ninfa Griselda Ortega. She was rushed to a hospital for treatment, but the devastating attack has left local ranchers shaken and authorities on high alert.
Texas rancher killed by suspected cartel IED on Mexican border as authorities warn of ‘growing threat’ https://t.co/1Px4kzS6Op pic.twitter.com/oQ9hYU4U12
— New York Post (@nypost) February 25, 2025
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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller did not mince words about the growing crisis. He called the attack yet another example of the unchecked cartel violence that has turned the southern border into a war zone. He urged ranchers to take every precaution necessary to protect themselves.
“I encourage everyone in the agricultural industry to stay vigilant, remain aware of their surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Additionally, you can avoid dirt roads and remote areas, refrain from touching unfamiliar objects that could be explosive devices, limit travel to daylight hours, stay on main roads, and avoid cartel-controlled regions.”
The tragedy hit particularly hard for Saldierna’s son, Ramiro Céspedes, a U.S. Army veteran who survived an IED attack while serving overseas. Learning that his father was killed in the same manner on American soil—or close enough to it—left him stunned.
“I consider this a terrorist attack because if I went to war to fight terrorists, and I’m seeing the same thing here to me – my personal opinion – it is a terrorist attack.”
His words cut through the political spin that too often clouds border security debates.
The harsh reality is that cartels operate like terrorist organizations, using brutality and fear to control territories and traffic drugs and human cargo into the U.S. While some politicians downplay the issue or focus on softer immigration policies, the evidence of cartel escalation is undeniable.
Federal border agents have already been warned about increased threats from these criminal enterprises. Under the Trump administration, some cartels were designated as foreign terrorist organizations—a move that was widely applauded by those who understand the severity of the situation.
With violent cartel activity creeping closer to American soil, ranchers, farmers, and residents in Texas remain on high alert. While Washington debates border policies, those living on the front lines face a grim and immediate reality: the border isn’t just a political issue—it’s a battlefield.
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