US Businessman Adam Castillo Deported from Myanmar After Three Months in Jail

Myanmar’s military-backed government has deported U.S. businessman Adam Castillo after three months in jail on charges his supporters contend were fabricated. State media reported Castillo was flown out of the capital, Naypyitaw, on Wednesday, citing "friendly relations between Myanmar and the United States."

Castillo, 40, a former U.S. Marine and founder of the security risk management firm AGS Myanmar, was detained at Yangon International Airport on June 11 after returning from Malaysia. Global Reach, a nonprofit organization that assists Americans held abroad, confirmed his release and stated he was handed over to U.S. officials before being flown to Bangkok and then onward to the U.S.

"We are thrilled to see Adam coming home and are grateful for the collaboration and efforts from the Trump Administration," said Mickey Bergman, CEO of Global Reach. Castillo's sister, Amanda Castillo, expressed that the release would be bittersweet for her brother, who "had such great hopes for enhanced US/Myanmar relations" and held "deepest respect for the Burmese people."

The charges against Castillo involved allegations of breach of trust and violating the regulations of AmCham Myanmar. Castillo has denied the accusations. AmCham Myanmar issued a statement indicating it had "obtained independent legal advice and, consistent with its fiduciary duties and its obligations under its constitution, referred the matter to the appropriate authorities."

Castillo’s detention followed his lobbying efforts to encourage U.S. interest in Myanmar’s rare earth minerals in exchange for sanctions relief. He also authored a book critical of U.S. sanctions on Myanmar and the country's military, known as the Tatmadaw, as well as AmCham leadership. According to Casey Barnett, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, the book's contents may have played a role in his arrest.

AmCham Myanmar’s complaint centered on Castillo’s creation of the U.S.-Burma Economic Forum and a contract with public relations firm Mercury LLC, valued at $300,000. AmCham Myanmar alleged that Castillo "illegally collected" these funds using the association's name and did not deposit them into the association's bank accounts. The chamber's annual report stated the board never approved the agreement, received no funds, made no payments, and received no services.

However, other documents suggest board approval for the initiative. A Nov. 1, 2024 resolution on AmCham Myanmar letterhead, signed by board members including Castillo, stated that the Burma Lobby initiative was approved and granted Castillo full authority to act on behalf of AmCham Myanmar. This resolution was provided to the AP by Castillo's supporters, though AmCham Executive Director Myat Phyu The called it a "fabricated document."

An employee of Misfit Technologies, whose CEO was a board member at the time, confirmed that the company's CEO had signed the resolution. This employee, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, stated that Misfit Technologies' U.S. office paid the fees to Mercury LLC directly, as Myanmar regulations and sanctions made payments from within the country difficult. Mercury declared these payments to U.S. authorities as required by the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

Minutes from a May 30, 2025 general meeting also indicated that Castillo proposed establishing the U.S.-Burma Economic Forum, and the measure passed with 42 votes to eight. Mercury confirmed that it organized and attended multiple meetings in Washington with Castillo and others.