María del Rosario Navarro Sánchez becomes the first Mexican national indicted under U.S. terrorism laws for allegedly supporting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Her arrest marks a significant shift in U.S. strategy against cartel violence.
In a landmark legal development, María del Rosario Navarro Sánchez, a 39-year-old Mexican national, has been indicted in the United States on charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. This marks the first instance of a Mexican citizen facing such charges in the U.S., following the recent designation of several Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations.
Navarro Sánchez, also known by the aliases “Chayo” and “Fernanda,” is accused of conspiring to supply grenades to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a powerful Mexican criminal syndicate designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State in February 2025 . The indictment, unsealed in the Western District of Texas, alleges that she participated in a range of criminal activities, including firearms trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, drug distribution, and human smuggling.
Navarro Sánchez was arrested on May 4 in Jalisco, Mexico, during a coordinated operation between U.S. and Mexican authorities. At the time of her arrest, she was reportedly in possession of a gold-plated AR-15-style rifle . Two other Mexican nationals, Luis Carlos Dávalos López and Gustavo Castro Medina, were also indicted in connection with the case, facing charges related to firearms and human trafficking.
The CJNG, led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” has been identified as one of Mexico’s most violent and expansive criminal organizations. The cartel is known for its involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and violent confrontations with rival groups and law enforcement.
The designation of CJNG and other cartels as foreign terrorist organizations under Executive Order 14157, signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, has allowed U.S. authorities to apply more stringent legal measures against individuals and entities associated with these groups . This includes the ability to prosecute individuals for providing material support to terrorist organizations, a charge that carries significant penalties under U.S. law.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “The arrest of María del Rosario Navarro Sánchez should send a clear message to those who align themselves with terrorist organizations: they will be pursued and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law” .
The case against Navarro Sánchez underscores the increasing collaboration between U.S. and Mexican authorities in combating transnational criminal organizations. It also reflects a broader shift in U.S. policy, treating certain drug cartels with the same legal framework applied to traditional terrorist groups.
Navarro Sánchez is currently awaiting extradition to the United States to face trial. If convicted, she could face a lengthy prison sentence under federal terrorism statutes.
This unprecedented case may set a legal precedent for future prosecutions of individuals involved with designated foreign terrorist organizations, signaling a more aggressive stance by U.S. authorities in addressing the threats posed by international drug cartels.
