Myanmar Deports US Businessman Adam Castillo After Three Months In Jail

US businessman and former American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar president Adam Castillo has been deported from Myanmar after spending about three months in jail over disputed financial misconduct allegations. He was released into US custody and flown to Bangkok on September 16, with plans to return to the United States.

Myanmar state media said Castillo was flown out of Naypyitaw “in consideration of the friendly relations between Myanmar and the United States”. He had been accused of breach of trust over alleged violations of AmCham Myanmar regulations. It remains unclear whether he was ever brought to trial or whether the charges were formally dropped.

Castillo, 40, was detained at Yangon International Airport on June 11 after returning from Malaysia. He is a former US Marine and the founder of security and risk management firm AGS Myanmar. His arrest followed allegations by AmCham Myanmar of financial impropriety, which Castillo denies.

The dispute centres on a $300,000 lobbying contract involving Washington based public relations firm Mercury Public Affairs. AmCham said its board had never approved the agreement, that the chamber received no money or services and that the transaction was not disclosed to its auditors.

However, documents obtained by the Associated Press appear to present a different picture. A November 2024 resolution bearing the signatures of board members, including Castillo, said the chamber had approved the lobbying initiative and authorised Mercury's engagement. AmCham executive director Myat Phyu The called that document fabricated.

Minutes from a May 30, 2025 general meeting also show Castillo proposed establishing the US Burma Economic Forum under the chamber's constitution, with the measure passing 42 to eight. An employee of Misfit Technologies said the roughly $300,000 in Mercury fees were paid by its US office because Myanmar sanctions and regulations made payments from the country difficult. Mercury also reported the payments to US authorities under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

The lobbying effort was part of Castillo's broader campaign to encourage US business engagement with Myanmar. He had promoted access to the country's rare earth minerals in exchange for sanctions relief and had met senior officials in Washington.

Castillo's detention also came shortly after he published a book about his years in Myanmar. The memoir criticised US sanctions but also criticised Myanmar's military and described how he helped a prominent dissident leave the country.

His family and supporters have rejected the allegations against him. His sister Amanda Castillo said the suggestion that her brother had acted improperly was “laughable”. Global Reach, which worked with his family, credited efforts by the Trump administration for helping secure his release.

AmCham Myanmar said it had obtained independent legal advice before referring the matter to authorities. It remains unclear whether an Australian former executive director of the chamber who was also arrested in connection with the case has been released.