Full Breakdown
US Businessman Adam Castillo Freed and Deported by Myanmar
By Drooid · · How we work
Detention and Release Overview
Adam Castillo, a 40-year-old former U.S. Marine and founder of the security firm AGS Myanmar, was detained at Yangon International Airport on June 11 after returning from Malaysia. Myanmar authorities charged him with “breach of trust” for allegedly violating the regulations of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar (AmCham Myanmar). officials before being taken to Bangkok for deportation back to the United States.
Background & Context
Castillo served as president of AmCham Myanmar from 2023-2025. The chamber’s complaint centers on a lobbying effort— the U.S.–Burma Economic Forum—intended to attract U.S. business and rare-earth mineral access in exchange for sanctions relief. A 2024 contract with Washington public-relations firm Mercury LLC, valued at $300,000, was alleged by AmCham to have been “illegally collected” using the chamber’s name and not deposited in its accounts. Castillo’s supporters contend the contract was approved by the chamber’s board and funded by Misfit Technologies’ U.S. office to circumvent sanctions.
Timeline
- June 11 – Castillo detained at Yangon International Airport.
- May 30 2025 – General-meeting minutes record Castillo’s proposal to establish the U.S.–Burma Economic Forum, passing 42 votes to eight.
Data & Statistics
- Age: 40.
- Contract amount with Mercury LLC: $300,000.
- Board vote on the forum proposal: 42 in favor, 8 against.
Official Statements & Responses
- The office of Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing posted on X that the action reflected “bilateral friendly relations.”
- The U.S. State Department declined to comment.
Criticism & Opposition
AmCham Myanmar issued a statement that it had “obtained independent legal advice” and, consistent with its fiduciary duties, referred the matter to authorities. The chamber alleges Castillo “illegally collected” the $300,000 fee and failed to deposit the funds in its accounts. In contrast, a resolution dated later in 2024 on AmCham letterhead claims the board approved the Burma Lobby initiative and granted full authority to act on its behalf.
Casey Barnett, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, warned that Castillo’s memoir, which labeled the Tatmadaw regime “a great evil,” would be “intolerable” to Myanmar’s authorities, suggesting the book contributed to his arrest.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Board Approval: AmCham’s annual report states the board never approved the Mercury contract, while the later-2024 resolution and May 30 2025 minutes indicate board endorsement.
- Co-defendant Status: Misfit Technologies’ employee confirmed CEO Munimul Islam signed the resolution, yet AmCham’s executive director called the document “fabricated.”
- Other Arrests: The release status of former AmCham executive director Danny Kyaw, an Australian national also arrested, remains unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are thrilled to see Adam coming home and are grateful for the collaboration and efforts from the Trump Administration,” — Mickey Bergman, global reach CEO
Why It Matters
Castillo’s release underscores the intersection of private lobbying, U.S. sanctions policy, and Myanmar’s quest for international legitimacy. The episode highlights how U.S. diplomatic channels—particularly those linked to the Trump administration—can influence outcomes for detained Americans, while also exposing tensions between business interests and the military-backed junta’s control over foreign investment and political expression.