Key facts
- Adam Castillo, former president of AmCham Myanmar, was detained at Yangon International Airport.
- The detention is linked to an investigation into alleged unauthorized payments of $300,000 involving former board members.
- A contract signed in November 2024 by a former board representative was outside AmCham's accounts.
- AmCham Myanmar received no funds, services, or made payments related to the contract.
- The U.S. State Department is aware of the detention but cited privacy concerns for not commenting further.
Adam Castillo, the former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar (AmCham Myanmar) and founder of security firm AGS Myanmar, has been detained at Yangon International Airport upon his return to the country. His detention follows an investigation by AmCham Myanmar into alleged suspicious financial dealings linked to former board members. The chamber's annual report revealed that a former board member signed a contract in November 2024 for $300,000, which was paid through channels separate from AmCham's accounts. The report stated that the signature exceeded individual board representatives' limits and the board never approved the agreement, with AmCham Myanmar receiving no funds, services, or making payments related to it. The U.S. State Department confirmed it is aware of reports of an American being detained but declined to provide further details, citing privacy considerations. Pro-military outlets have reported that Castillo was arrested after AmCham filed a complaint against him.