On Tuesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of a warning issued by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on cartel violence near the Texas - Mexico border.
Quoting Commissioner 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."
The incident referred to by Miller occurred last month when a Texas rancher, who worked on both sides of the border, was driving near his ranch in Tamaulipas, Mexico, just south of Brownsville, Texas. The victim's wife was also seriously injured in the explosion.
Miller's warning is important as numerous cattle ranches in the U.S. and Mexico overlap at the border, and cattle are often sent back and forth between the two countries. In just one example of the trade, ranchers in the U.S. sell cattle to Mexican ranchers, who then breed them with their own stock. The calves are then sold back to the U.S. and contribute significantly to the nation's beef supply. The cross-border movement of cattle happens in great numbers at the Santa Teresa Int'l Livestock Crossing located just west of El Paso, Texas.
Readers are reminded that in late January approximately 10 days before the incident that killed the rancher, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of a security bulletin issued by the US Embassy in Mexico specifically warning of the IED threat in the state of Tamaulipas, where devices have been found in and around Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and San Fernando along dirt and secondary roads.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the national and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers of any new alerts, warnings, or advisories impacting the overall threat picture for American citizens, as events warrant. |
