The Trump administration is willing to go to extreme lengths to secure the border…
In response to the recent killing of an elderly South Texas rancher and U.S. citizen by a suspected cartel explosive, the Trump administration promised to continue its “ruthlessly aggressive” response to cartel threats to Americans.
Antonio Céspedes Saldierna, 74, a Texas rancher who worked on both sides of the border, was driving near his ranch in Tamaulipas, Mexico, just south of Brownsville, Texas, when he was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Ninfa Griselda Ortega, Lopez’s wife, was hospitalized with injuries and Horacio Lopez Peña was also killed in the explosion.
Hughes did not disclose any specifics on whether the administration is considering a military response to the suspected cartel killing but noted that the “administration has proven to be ruthlessly aggressive in pursuing criminal gangs that threaten our homeland.”
He said that “President Trump will stop at nothing to secure our border, protect our communities, and dismantle terrorist organizations.”
In a statement, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the deadly explosion was part of a “growing threat posed by cartel activity along our southern border.” He encouraged ranchers and those who work near the border to “exercise extreme caution.”
“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,” said Miller.
“Our agriculture family is the backbone of Texas, and we must do everything we can to protect it,” he added.
The State Department has issued a travel warning for U.S. citizens in Tamaulipas, citing high crime and kidnappings amid ongoing violence between drug cartels. Government officials in Tamaulipas recently warned of explosive devices on rural roads near the border between Reynosa and Rio Bravo, according to reports.
The Trump administration has designated multiple cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, including:
- The Sinaloa Cartel
- The Jalisco New Generation Cartel
- Cártel del Norte
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana
- The Gulf Cartel
- Cárteles Unidos
- MS-13
President Trump made illegal immigration and securing the border a cornerstone of his campaign and has signed a number of executive orders in the weeks since entering the Oval Office.
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