97‑Day Detention in Insein Jail Ends as US President Orders Freedom

After nearly three months in Myanmar’s Insein Prison, former U.S. Marine Adam Castillo was released, a development he attributes to a direct order from President Donald Trump. Castillo warned that without the president’s intervention, his survival was uncertain.

His captivity began with a 14‑day initial hold, followed by a transfer to Insein, where he remained for an additional 83 days. Throughout the period, Castillo was never formally charged or sentenced.

The Marine explained that his arrest was tied to an internal conflict within the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, which escalated to police involvement and later attracted global scrutiny. He leveled serious accusations against the U.S. State Department, claiming it offered no help and even impeded release efforts.

While acknowledging the assistance of Vice President JD Vance’s team, the Faith Council, and various humanitarian actors, Castillo emphasized that the final directive to free him came from the White House.

Castillo described Insein’s conditions, noting that each cell was fitted with a toilet and that the International Committee of the Red Cross, alongside prison officials, had made notable improvements over the years. He reported no direct incidents of abuse, though he cautioned that his experience might not reflect the reality for other inmates.

When discussing Myanmar’s political climate, Castillo highlighted the long‑standing hardships faced by civilians, including war, sanctions, and economic challenges. He observed that the democratic resistance is highly decentralized, with ethnic armed groups pursuing distinct goals and lacking a unified command.