US delegation secures release of detained citizen in Myanmar
The State Department confirmed a diplomatic intervention in Naypyidaw led to the release of Adam Castillo, who had been held for three months on breach of trust charges.
The United States State Department has confirmed that a delegation of officials travelled to Naypyidaw last week to negotiate the release of Adam Castillo, a US citizen detained in Myanmar for three months. The diplomatic mission resulted in Castillo being handed over to US custody, after which he was flown to Bangkok, Thailand.
Myanmar state media attributed the decision to release Castillo to the "friendly relations between Myanmar and the United States." The 40-year-old former US Marine had been charged with breach of trust and accused of violating the regulations of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, an organisation he had previously led as president.
Castillo was originally detained at Yangon International Airport on 11 June after returning from Malaysia. The arrest followed accusations of financial impropriety by the American Chamber of Commerce, claims that Castillo has consistently denied. At the time of his arrest, Myanmar authorities provided limited information, stating only that "there was a crime and a lawsuit."
Beyond his role in the Chamber of Commerce, Castillo is the founder and owner of AGS Myanmar, a security risk management firm. His detention had raised questions regarding the treatment of foreign business figures in the country, with the specific nature of the breach of trust allegations remaining a point of contention between the accuser and the detainee.
Mickey Bergman, CEO of the Washington-based nonprofit Global Reach, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the Trump administration in securing Castillo’s return. The organisation had assisted Castillo’s family in advocating for his release during his time in custody.
Amanda Castillo, the detainee’s sister, described the homecoming as "bittersweet." She noted that her brother had high hopes for enhanced relations between the two nations and held deep respect for the Burmese people, among whom he had lived for many years.
