Texas rancher killed by IED near southern border, officials suspect cartel

• Texas officials confirmed the death of a rancher killed by an IED near the southern border. They believe a cartel is behind the attack.
• The explosion occurred in a key farming region.
• Tamaulipas authorities and the U.S. embassy issued warnings after discovering multiple IEDs in the Mexican state.

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Texas authorities confirmed the death of a rancher who was killed after coming into contact with an improvised explosive device, commonly known as an IED. Officials are now urging agriculture workers near the Mexico border to take extra caution, suspecting a cartel’s involvement in the attack.

Incident occurs near Brownsville, Texas

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Sid Miller, Texas Department of Agriculture commissioner, revealed the explosion occurred near Brownsville, just a few miles from Matamoros, Mexico. Miller emphasized the importance of agriculture to Texas’ economy. He warned farmers and ranchers to avoid dirt roads, remote areas and locations controlled by cartels.

The Texas Department of Agriculture confirmed to NewsNation that a 74-year-old man ran over an IED earlier this month near the southern border. The explosion killed one passenger in the vehicle and injured his wife.

The incident took place in the lower Rio Grande Valley. It’s a vital farming region that provides water and an ideal climate for growing crops.

Tamaulipas issues warnings, U.S. embassy echoes concern

Last month, the Tamaulipas government posted a social media advisory urging residents not to touch or move unfamiliar devices and to contact emergency services instead. The advisory came after several IEDs were discovered within the Mexican state. It prompted the U.S. embassy and consulates to issue similar warnings. The agency also added a travel warning for the region, citing the increased use of explosives by criminal organizations.