A Texas rancher was killed by a cartel-planted improvised explosive device near the US-Mexico border, marking a dangerous escalation in tactics being employed by drug cartels against American citizens.
Quick Takes
- Antonio Céspedes Saldierna was killed by an IED near his ranch in Tamaulipas, Mexico, near the Texas border
- Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warned ranchers and agricultural workers to exercise extreme caution in border areas
- Mexican cartels are reportedly planting explosives along roads near the border to target rivals
- The victim’s son, a US Army veteran, called the attack “terrorism” and compared it to what he witnessed in war zones
- Officials advise avoiding dirt roads, remote areas, and traveling at night near the border
Deadly Cartel Attack Claims Rancher’s Life
The escalating threat of cartel violence along the southern border became tragically apparent with the death of Texas rancher Antonio Céspedes Saldierna, who was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted near the Texas-Mexico border. According to reports, Saldierna was checking on his property near Brownsville when he encountered the explosive. Another individual, Horacio Lopez Peña, was also killed in the blast, while Ninfa Griselda Ortega sustained injuries. The incident represents a significant and alarming escalation in cartel tactics, with explosive devices now being used in areas frequented by American citizens.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued an urgent warning to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers in the region following the attack, stating, “I urge all Texas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers who travel to Mexico or operate near the border to exercise extreme caution… We cannot overlook the rising violence that threatens not only lives but also the security of our farms, ranches, and rural communities.”
The explosive device that killed Saldierna wasn’t an isolated incident – officials have confirmed that Mexican drug cartels have been planting IEDs along roads near the Texas border. These explosives are reportedly part of ongoing cartel wars or possibly a warning against increased US deportation efforts and anti-cartel operations. The presence of such devices represents a dangerous new threat to civilians living and working in border regions.
NEW: Texas border rancher k*lled by a suspected cartel IED at the Southern Border, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
74-year-old Rancher Antonio Céspedes Saldierna was driving on his ranch when the explosive detonated.
According to the New York Post, Saldierna… pic.twitter.com/PZyY8isbgJ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 25, 2025
Officials Issue Urgent Safety Warnings
Following the deadly incident, the Texas Department of Agriculture issued specific safety warnings for the Rio Grande Valley. This guidance includes avoiding dirt roads, remote areas, and cartel-controlled regions. Additionally, residents are advised to travel only during daylight hours and stay on main thoroughfares. The US State Department had already issued travel warnings for Tamaulipas due to high crime rates and kidnapping concerns – warnings that now appear even more critical given the escalation to explosive devices.
The victim’s son, Ramiro Céspedes, who served in the US Army, expressed his horror at seeing warfare tactics used against civilians in North America. He explicitly compared the attack to terrorism, stating, “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.”
Escalating Response to Cartel Terrorism
The Trump administration has intensified efforts against Mexican drug cartels, formally designating several – including the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel – as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation allows for more aggressive tactics against these groups, including the deployment of special operations forces. US officials anticipate increased violence as cartels respond to these operations, with American citizens and law enforcement potentially caught in the crossfire. The use of military-grade tactics by cartels appears to confirm the wisdom of treating these organizations as terrorist threats rather than merely criminal enterprises.
“Unfortunately, extreme violence, including the use of IEDs, has become more common over the last few years as cartels were emboldened by weak leadership in Washington, D.C.,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham.
Tamaulipas government officials have specifically warned about explosive devices on rural roads between Reynosa and Rio Bravo, acknowledging that IEDs are being deployed by organized crime groups primarily to deter rival cartels. However, the death of Saldierna demonstrates that these weapons pose an indiscriminate threat to all who travel in these regions. The placement of explosives along roads represents a significant shift from traditional cartel violence, which typically targeted specific individuals rather than creating zones of danger that could harm anyone who enters them.
