A DETAINED AMERICAN, AND AN OPENING
Castillo, a former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, was detained at Yangon airport on Jun 11 by Myanmar authorities on what his supporters have described as trumped-up charges. The US government has not commented on whether Castillo was wrongfully detained.
People familiar with the matter said White House, National Security Council and State Department officials held back-channel negotiations with Myanmar officials to secure his release. One person said Myanmar asked only “to have an official engagement at the right level with the US government” in return.
Castillo declined to comment beyond crediting President Donald Trump for his release.
The meeting builds on a June meeting between US and Myanmar officials in Tokyo also involving Vance, four people said. One of the people said officials from the Treasury Department, which oversees sanctions, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Pentagon took part.
It was unclear who represented Myanmar at the talks.
Vance, who became involved in Myanmar policy while advising Vice President JD Vance on Asian affairs, has also met in person and virtually with the democratic opposition and ethnic armed groups fighting the military, five of the people said.
A major focus of the US push is getting Myanmar’s help in shuttering scam hubs operating on its territory that run romance and other frauds, which have scammed Americans out of billions of dollars. Two people familiar with the matter said the FBI has had direct contact with Myanmar’s authorities on cyber scams.
Researchers say many scams are run from areas under militia control, with some proceeds flowing to the military, raising doubts about whether Myanmar’s leaders are serious about enforcement.
US officials also discussed access to Myanmar’s massive deposits of heavy rare earths that are used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. US officials acknowledge obstacles: the deposits mainly lie in territory held by ethnic armies fighting Myanmar’s military government, and China, currently the main importer, could see any US role as a challenge.
Still, with Washington seeking to diversify supply chains away from China, Myanmar’s deposits remain a recurring topic in conversations, the people said.