An improvised explosive device (IED) planted by cartel terrorists killed a Texas rancher and another man on Friday on the Mexican side of his ranch, which spans from Brownsville, Texas, to Tamaulipas, Mexico.

The 74-year-old Antonio Céspedes Saldierna, a U.S. citizen, was driving through his rural ranch on Friday when he triggered a cartel terrorist IED that left him and his passenger, Horacio Lopez Peña, dead, and Lopez Peña’s wife severely injured.

“I consider this a terrorist attack because, if I went to a war to fight, and I’m seeing the same thing here, you know, to me, in my personal opinion, it is a terrorist attack,” said Ramiro Céspedes, Saldierna’s son and a U.S. military veteran who was injured by an IED during deployment in the Middle East.

Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warned farmers about the dangers posed by cartel terrorists along the border.

“We cannot overlook the rising violence that threatens not only lives but also the security of our farms, ranches, and rural communities. I encourage anyone in the agriculture industry to stay vigilant, remain aware of their surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement,” said Miller.

The agency urged border farmers and ranchers to avoid suspicious objects, rural roads, and cartel-occupied areas, and to only travel during daylight.

Earlier this month, the U.S. officially designated multiple cartels and South and Central American gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. These included Tren de Aragua, MS-13, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the United Cartels, the Northeast Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and the Michoacán Family.

Cartel violence has continued to grow even with President Donald Trump in office.

In late January, cartel terrorists opened fire on Texas Border Patrol agents while trying to smuggle a group of illegal immigrants into the U.S.

Although no public action has yet been taken by the government, speculation has grown that the U.S. is planning to use military force to eliminate cartel terrorists.