US Businessman Adam Castillo Detained at Yangon Airport Amid Alleged Financial Misconduct Claims

When Adam Castillo landed at Yangon International Airport on Thursday, he was not greeted by cheering fans but by the handcuffs of a legal dispute.

The former president of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Myanmar, Castillo was taken into custody after returning from a business forum in Kuala Lumpur, where he had been promoting his newly released book, Finding Our Voice. The book chronicles his experiences in Myanmar amid the turmoil that followed the 2021 military coup.

The detention was set in motion by a complaint lodged by AMCHAM on May 29. The chamber’s annual report revealed that a former board representative had signed a contract in November 2024 with a Washington‑based public‑relations firm, receiving $300,000. That sum, according to the report, was moved outside AMCHAM Myanmar’s accounts, never paid to the firm, and never used for services. The contract exceeded the signing limits of individual board members, was never approved by the board, and was not disclosed to statutory auditors.

While the report mentions that two former board members were involved, it does not name them or detail any legal action taken. Myat Phyu The, AMCHAM’s executive director, said the organization’s annual report “covers the issue at hand” but declined to provide further details. The chamber’s website notes that the board has taken “appropriate steps to safeguard the interests of the organization and its members.”

Castillo’s company, AGS Myanmar, founded in 2013, supplies security, commercial cleaning, and pest control services to international clients operating in the country. In addition to his business role, Castillo is a former U.S. Marine officer who served in Afghanistan and chairs Republican Overseas Myanmar, a group launched in 2024 to promote “America First” policies in the region.

The U.S. State Department confirmed that it was aware of reports of an American’s detention in Myanmar but said it could not comment further “due to privacy considerations.” Myanmar’s military‑backed government, the Yangon regional government office, and the Yangon Regional Police Department did not respond to requests for comment. Authorities in Myanmar, which is still in the throes of a civil war, rarely speak to international media.

Myanmar has seen a surge in detentions of foreigners, especially journalists, since the 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected National League for Democracy government. The military’s takeover sparked widespread protests and an armed resistance that has persisted into 2026. The country’s economy has collapsed, and the U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on military officials and entities linked to the junta.

At present, the circumstances of Castillo’s detention remain unclear. His company has described the matter as “ongoing” and has declined to comment further. No official statement has been released by Myanmar authorities, and it is not known whether the detention is related to the AMCHAM complaint, the book he has published, or other factors.

The case underscores the risks faced by expatriates and business leaders operating in Myanmar’s volatile environment. As the country continues to grapple with political instability and economic hardship, the international community watches closely for any developments that could affect foreign investment and diplomatic relations.