According to Reuters news agency on July 25, the United States Department of Treasury has removed four Myanmar business figures and arms brokers with ties to the military council from its economic sanctions list. These individuals are Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung, Aung Hlaing Oo, Sit Taing Aung, and Tin Latt Min, who were previously sanctioned for their involvement in arms procurement for the Myanmar military and maintaining business connections with the military establishment.
Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung is the owner of KT Services & Logistics Company, while Aung Hlaing Oo owns MCM Group, and Sit Taing Aung is the proprietor of Suntac Technologies. Tin Latt Min, who is the wife of Shwe Byaing Phyu Company owner Thein Win Zaw, is a crony closely associated with the military council and operates businesses in the fuel and telecommunications sectors.
Among these individuals, Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung and Sit Taing Aung were sanctioned during President Biden’s administration in 2022, while Tin Latt Min was added to the sanctions list in 2024. The U.S. Treasury Department has not provided any official explanation for this sudden removal of economic sanctions. This development comes at a time when the military council continues to oppress the people of Myanmar.
A notable point of concern is that this removal of sanctions occurred within two weeks after military council leader Min Aung Hlaing sent a flattering letter to former U.S. President Trump. In his letter, Min Aung Hlaing directly requested the removal of economic sanctions. This situation has emerged while the military council continues its campaign of oppression against the Myanmar people, including forced military service and various forms of civilian persecution.
