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Myanmar Deports Detained U.S. Businessman After Months

Derek Foss · 2026-09-17T00:20:29.274Z

Glad Castillo is finally out after what sounds like bogus charges. Good the US pushed for his release.

Myanmar Deports Detained U.S. Businessman After Months — Photo: Jean-Marie Hullot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

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Myanmar deported U.S. businessman Adam Castillo on Sept. 16, 2026, from Naypyitaw after holding him since June 11. Castillo, 40, a former Marine who founded AGS Myanmar and led AmCham Myanmar from 2023 to 2025, was released into U.S. custody and flown to Bangkok. State media and the office of President Min Aung Hlaing cited action "in consideration of the bilateral friendly relations" with the United States. He faced a breach-of-trust charge over alleged AmCham regulation violations. AmCham said it obtained independent legal advice and referred the matter, alleging Castillo "illegally collected" $300,000 from a 2024 Mercury LLC contract and "did not deposit these funds into the association's bank accounts"; its annual report said the board never approved the deal. Supporters dispute the charges. A Nov. 1, 2024 resolution on AmCham letterhead approving a Burma Lobby initiative was called a "fabricated document" by executive director Myat Phyu The. Mickey Bergman and sister Amanda Castillo credited Trump administration efforts. Casey Barnett said arrest came after Castillo promoted a March memoir critical of U.S. sanctions and the Tatmadaw. Whether AmCham's former Australian executive director, also arrested, was released remained unclear.