• Maria Del Rosario Navarro is indicted in the U.S. for providing support to the CJNG cartel.
• This marks the first federal terrorism charges related to a Mexican cartel under recent designations.
• Navarro is accused of supplying grenades and aiding in smuggling operations for the CJNG.
• The case stems from a broader U.S. effort to combat threats posed by drug cartels.
• The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes a commitment to securing borders and dismantling drug trafficking.

Maria Del Rosario Navarro, a 39-year-old Mexican national, has been indicted in the United States on charges stemming from her alleged support of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a criminal organization recently designated as a foreign terrorist group. The indictment marks a significant legal milestone, as it is the first federal case of terrorism charges connected to a Mexican cartel following designations made by the U.S. government, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Newsweek.

The U.S. Department of Justice detailed that Navarro is accused of providing DDWs (destructive devices), specifically grenades, to CJNG and of involvement in various smuggling operations, which include migratory and drug trafficking as well as firearms and bulk cash smuggling. This case emerges from the enforcement of an executive order by former President Trump, which classified numerous criminal organizations as “terrorist groups,” helping to increase the legal consequences for those who support these entities, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

The indictment reflects a broader U.S. strategy to combat the threats posed by drug cartels and underlines a significant pivot in how these organizations are addressed in the legal framework. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, "This announcement demonstrates the Justice Department's unwavering commitment to securing our borders and protecting Americans through effective prosecution," emphasizing the implications of this legal action, according to Newsweek.

Navarro was arrested on May 4, along with two co-defendants, also Mexican nationals, who face charges of firearms trafficking and other related crimes. The Justice Department has released information suggesting that firearms and significant quantities of meth and fentanyl were linked to the case, alongside a notable weapon recovered during her arrest, described as a luxury AR-15 dubbed “El Dorado,” according to Reuters and Newsweek.

With these developments, the U.S. government continues its concerted effort to dismantle transnational criminal networks that pose threats to national security. Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman noted that the federal charges against Navarro "send a monumental message" concerning U.S. law enforcement's proactive stance against unlawful practices associated with cartels, reinforcing the administration's commitment to border security and the fight against drug trafficking, as reported by Newsweek and Al Jazeera.