Overview
- Castillo was detained at Yangon International Airport on June 11 and held for roughly three months before Myanmar state media said he was deported and handed to U.S. officials on September 16.
- The U.S. State Department confirmed a delegation traveled to Naypyitaw this week and met Myanmar authorities to press for Castillo’s release.
- AmCham Myanmar filed a complaint accusing Castillo of illegally collecting about $300,000 under a 2024 contract with Mercury Public Affairs, an allegation he and his supporters deny.
- Supporters produced board resolutions and meeting minutes that appear to show internal approval for the U.S.-Burma lobbying initiative while Mercury’s U.S. filings show the payments were declared under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
- Castillo’s family and the nonprofit Global Reach credited members of the Trump administration for help securing his return and the episode raises questions about the junta’s motives, the legal status of the complaint, and Myanmar’s efforts to win international legitimacy.