Key facts
- American businessman Adam Castillo has been detained in Myanmar.
- Castillo is the author of a book detailing his experiences following the 2021 military coup.
- He was stopped at an airport upon his return to the country.
- The U.S. State Department is aware of the detention.
- Castillo had previously advocated for U.S. business engagement with Myanmar.
An American businessman, Adam Castillo, who authored a book about his experiences in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup, has been detained upon his return to the Southeast Asian nation. Castillo, a former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar and owner of a security firm based in Yangon, was reportedly stopped at an airport.
The U.S. State Department confirmed it is aware of reports concerning the detention of an American in Myanmar but declined to provide further details, citing privacy concerns. The government backed by the military junta has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Castillo's book, 'Finding Our Voice,' chronicles the military's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and criticizes U.S. sanctions as ineffective, advocating instead for increased business engagement. He had previously visited the White House and suggested the U.S. could act as a peace broker in Myanmar with the aim of accessing the country's rare earth minerals.