A Texas rancher’s brutal death by cartel-planted IED on Mexican soil has prompted urgent warnings from Texas officials as violence spills toward the border. Antonio Céspedes Saldierna, 74, perished when his vehicle triggered an improvised explosive device on a rural road in Tamaulipas, a region now plagued by escalating cartel warfare. His son, a U.S. Army veteran, bluntly called it what American officials won’t: a terrorist attack.
Deadly Cartel Tactics Reach America’s Doorstep
The Texas Department of Agriculture has issued an urgent warning to farmers and ranchers operating near the southern border following the deadly explosion. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller highlighted the “growing threat posed by cartel activity” as criminal organizations deploy tactics previously only seen in foreign war zones.
Céspedes Saldierna’s wife sustained injuries in the attack while another individual, Horacio Lopez Peña, also lost his life when their vehicle triggered the hidden explosive. The incident occurred in San Fernando, Mexico, not far from Texas soil, raising alarms about the potential for similar attacks to cross into American territory.
"Our agriculture family is the backbone of Texas, and we must do everything we can to protect it," @MillerForTexas said in a warning after a Texas rancher was killed allegedly by an explosive device planted by cartel members. https://t.co/Ef196x1SjK
— The Texan (@TheTexanNews) February 25, 2025
Army Veteran Son Calls Attack “Terrorism”
Ramiro Céspedes, son of the slain rancher and a U.S. Army veteran, made a startling comparison between the tactics used in his father’s murder and those he witnessed overseas. “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,” he stated bluntly.
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
The former Trump administration had designated several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, including the powerful Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Intelligence reports indicate the cartels are increasingly employing military-grade tactics, including using drones to drop explosives on rivals and planting IEDs along rural routes.
Border Security Crisis Escalates
The U.S. State Department has maintained a strict “Do Not Travel” advisory for Tamaulipas due to widespread crime and kidnapping threats. Mexican authorities in the region have confirmed the presence of explosive devices planted along rural roads between Reynosa and Rio Bravo, tactics reportedly used by cartels to control territory and deter rival organizations.
“I urge all Texas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers who travel to Mexico or operate near the border to exercise extreme caution. The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is a crucial part of Texas agriculture, and the safety of our agricultural community is of utmost importance. We cannot overlook the rising violence that threatens not only lives but also the security of our farms, ranches, and rural communities.”
Commissioner Miller’s office has distributed practical safety guidelines including avoiding dirt roads and remote areas, traveling only during daylight hours, staying on main highways, and reporting suspicious objects. The violence continues a troubling pattern of cartel boldness along the southern border that threatens American communities and livelihoods.
Sources:
Rancher reportedly killed by cartel-made improvised explosive near southern border
IED kills border rancher in Mexico, prompting warning about cartels from Texas ag commissioner