Texas Ag Commissioner Warns of IED Threat After Rancher Killed

BROWNSVILLE, TX — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a warning Tuesday to farmers and ranchers after a Texas rancher was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) near Brownsville.

Miller urged agricultural workers near the Texas-Mexico border or those traveling to Mexico to exercise extreme caution due to rising cartel-related violence.

“The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is a crucial part of Texas agriculture, and the safety of our agricultural community is of utmost importance,” Miller said. “We cannot overlook the rising violence that threatens our agricultural family.”

The victim, identified as 74-year-old Antonio Céspedes Saldierna of Brownsville, was killed in the Santa Rita area of San Fernando, Tamaulipas, about 90 miles south of Brownsville, according to a local media report. 

Miller advised agricultural workers to limit travel to daylight hours, remain on main roads, and avoid cartel-controlled regions. He also urged caution around unfamiliar objects that could be explosives and encouraged reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.

The U.S. State Department has designated Tamaulipas as a “Do Not Travel” area due to widespread crime, including murder, kidnapping, carjackings, and extortion. Criminal groups frequently target vehicles and demand ransom payments, and local law enforcement has limited ability to respond, according to the advisory.

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

Here is the full statement from Miller: 

“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). This shocking act of violence highlights the growing threat posed by cartel activity along our southern border.

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.

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