In a tragic incident underscoring escalating cartel violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, 74-year-old Texas rancher Antonio Céspedes Saldierna is killed by a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) earlier this month. The explosion occurs on his ranch in Tamaulipas, Mexico, just south of Brownsville, Texas, also claiming the life of his colleague, Horacio Lopez Peña, and injuring Lopez’s wife, Ninfa Griselda Ortega.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issues an urgent safety warning for those in the agricultural sector operating near the border or traveling into Mexico. He emphasizes the growing threat posed by cartel activities and advises individuals to 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 regions known to be controlled by cartels.
The victim’s son, Ramiro Céspedes, a U.S. Army veteran who sustained injuries from an IED during his service, expresses his shock and labels the incident a “terrorist attack.” This event highlights the increasing dangers faced by residents and workers in border areas due to cartel-related violence.
The U.S. State Department maintains a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Tamaulipas, citing high crime rates, including kidnappings and violent confrontations between criminal organizations. Recent reports indicate that cartels have been deploying IEDs on rural roads to deter rivals, posing significant risks to locals and travelers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile security situation along the southern border and the imperative for heightened vigilance among those living and working in these regions.
Sources:
- New York Post
- Express News
- Statesman
