Texas Rancher Killed by Cartel in 'Shocking Act of Violence'

The recent death of a Texas rancher near Brownsville has prompted Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to issue a warning about the dangers facing ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley.

“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),” Miller stated in a post on the Texas Department of Agriculture website.

“This shocking act of violence highlights the growing threat posed by cartel activity along our southern border,” he added.

Miller emphasized that agribusiness in the region spans both sides of the border, making it imperative for everyone to stay cautious at all times, regardless of their location.

“I urge all Texas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers who travel to Mexico or operate near the border to exercise extreme caution,” he said.

“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,” he continued.

He urged “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. Our agriculture family is the backbone of Texas, and we must do everything we can to protect it,” Miller said.

The incident he referred to occurred earlier this month when Antonio Céspedes Saldierna, 74, of Brownsville, detonated an IED while driving a truck on his ranch in San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico, according to KFDM-TV.

Horacio Lopez Peña and his wife, Ninfa Griselda Ortega, were also in the vehicle. Peña lost his life, while Ortega was hospitalized.

“I’m sad, I’m confused, I’m in shock,” said Ramiro Céspedes, son of Céspedes Saldierna, according to KRGV-TV.

Céspedes, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, had previously been injured by an IED during one of his deployments.

“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 said.

Mexican authorities stated that cartels use IEDs to deter rival groups from their territory.