Key facts
- Myanmar freed U.S. citizen Adam Castillo on Wednesday, September 16.
- Castillo was detained in June following a business dispute.
- Global Reach, a U.S. nonprofit, stated it worked toward Castillo's release.
- Castillo's sister thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their efforts.
- Castillo was accused of improperly using the chamber of commerce for lobbying.
- Myanmar's government cited "bilateral friendly relations" for the release.
Myanmar's military-backed government freed U.S. citizen Adam Castillo on Wednesday, September 16, after he had been detained since June following a business dispute. Castillo, the former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, was deported from the capital, Naypyitaw. The office of Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing stated the release was in consideration of "bilateral friendly relations" between the two countries.
Global Reach, a U.S. nonprofit that works with families of Americans detained overseas, said it had worked toward Castillo's release. The organization cited Castillo's sister, Amanda Castillo, who thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their efforts. Castillo, a former U.S. Marine from California, was detained on June 11 at the airport in Yangon, where he ran a security firm. He was accused of improperly using the chamber of commerce he led to conduct lobbying in Washington, charges his supporters claim were spurious and arose from a personal dispute.
The release comes as Myanmar's government seeks international legitimacy following a 2021 coup led by Min Aung Hlaing. The U.S. maintains sanctions against Myanmar's leaders and supporting businesses. Mickey Bergman, CEO of Global Reach, praised the "collaboration and efforts from the Trump Administration," noting that members had worked "quietly behind the scenes" for Castillo's release. Bergman previously facilitated the release of journalist Danny Fenster from Myanmar.