US Businessman and Former Marine Adam Castillo Detained by Myanmar Authorities Upon Return to Yangon

Former US Marine and Myanmar Business Leader Adam Castillo Detained by Junta Upon Return

BANGKOK/YANGON (June 12, 2026) — Adam Castillo, a former U.S. Marine, ex-head of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Myanmar, and author of a book detailing life under the country’s military junta, was detained by Myanmar authorities on Thursday upon his return to Yangon, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Castillo, who runs the security and risk management firm AGS Myanmar in the commercial capital, was stopped at the airport after traveling abroad to promote his recently published book, Finding Our Voice. The memoir chronicles his experiences living through Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, the junta’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests, and the ensuing civil war and economic turmoil. It also criticizes U.S. sanctions policy as ineffective and advocates for greater international business engagement with Myanmar.

Castillo has deep ties to Myanmar’s business community. He previously served as chairman of AmCham Myanmar and has positioned himself as a bridge between Western firms and local operations, including during the chaotic post-coup period when many expatriates and diplomats departed. He has described staying in the country to support local staff and maintain business continuity amid the crisis.

In 2025, Castillo visited the White House and met with advisors to Vice President JD Vance. He pitched ideas for the United States to act as a peace-broker in Myanmar, specifically suggesting a bilateral self-governance arrangement between the military junta and groups like the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which controls key rare earth mineral mining areas in northern Myanmar near the Chinese border. The proposal was framed with an eye toward U.S. access to strategic rare earth resources, according to prior reporting.

The detention occurred as Castillo re-entered Myanmar after promoting his book overseas. Sources indicate he was taken into custody at Yangon’s airport, though no formal charges have been publicly detailed. Myanmar’s military-backed government has not immediately responded to requests for comment.

The U.S. State Department confirmed it is aware of reports of an American citizen’s detention in Myanmar but declined further comment, citing privacy concerns. There has been no official confirmation of consular access or the specific reasons for the detention at this stage.This development comes amid heightened sensitivities in Myanmar under junta rule, where critics of the military—including authors, activists, and business figures perceived as oppositional—have faced scrutiny, arrests, or restrictions. Castillo’s book and past advocacy for engagement (while critiquing aspects of both junta actions and U.S. policy) appear to have drawn attention.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the February 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta has waged a brutal campaign against resistance forces, leading to widespread displacement, economic collapse, and accusations of war crimes. Rare earth minerals in Kachin State have become a geopolitical flashpoint, with significant Chinese involvement and interest from other powers.

News of Castillo’s detention has raised concerns in diplomatic, business, and analytical circles focused on Myanmar. It coincides with a separate but related incident involving another U.S. citizen, researcher Min Zin (also known as U Min Zin), who was arrested in China on suspicion of espionage related to Myanmar affairs. While the cases are unconnected, they have amplified alarm among those tracking Myanmar’s political and economic landscape.

No updates on Castillo’s condition, location of detention, or potential legal proceedings were available as of Friday afternoon. The U.S. Embassy in Myanmar (or relevant regional posts) is likely engaging through standard diplomatic channels.

Former US Marine and Myanmar Business Leader Adam Castillo Detained by Junta Upon Return

Adam Castillo, ex-U.S. Marine, former AmCham Myanmar head, and author of a book on the 2021 coup, was detained at Yangon airport on June 11, 2026. He had advised on U.S. policy toward Myanmar’s rare earths. US State Dept aware; investigation ongoing.

17GEN4.com

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