Havana, Cuba – The year 2024 has proven to be one of the most tumultuous in the history of Cuban Freemasonry, marked by allegations of corruption, internal strife, and increasing state interference. The Grand Lodge of Cuba (GLC) has been rocked by a series of scandals, including the theft of $19,000, the expulsion of its Grand Master, and accusations of embezzlement, leading to a profound crisis within the organization.

The unraveling began with the theft from the office of then-Grand Master Mario A. Urquía Carreño, triggering a chain of events that led to his expulsion from the Order. However, the situation escalated when Cuban authorities intervened, reinstating Urquía to his position, a move that sparked mass protests by Freemasons outside the Grand Masonic National Temple. Facing mounting pressure, Urquía eventually resigned and was subsequently detained and accused of "fraud" involving over $2,000 USD and more than 4 million Cuban pesos (CUP), implicating Grand Treasurer Airam Cervera Reigosa.

In the aftermath of Urquía's forced resignation in September of the previous year, it was revealed that he and Cervera had plans to leave the country. This revelation prompted the new GLC officials to report the embezzlement to the authorities. Despite the gravity of the accusations, neither Urquía Carreño nor Cervera Reigosa have been prosecuted under civil or Masonic law, raising concerns about the lack of accountability.

The current Grand Master, Mayker Filema Duarte, was appointed as Deputy Grand Master by Urquía himself before his final resignation in August. Filema, who had previously held a relatively low profile within the institution, was confirmed in his position until elections scheduled for March of this year. Notably, several high-ranking GLC officials who had previously supported Urquía, such as Grand Secretary Juliannis Galano and Grand Treasurer Juan Carlos Yero, have retained their positions, fueling suspicions of continued influence by the former Grand Master.

"These individuals responded to the interests of Mario Urquía," stated a Freemason who requested anonymity. "They were his officials during a time when more than half of Cuban Freemasonry repudiated him, and now they are in power. Many will deny it, claiming that everything has passed, attempting to clear the path for some while removing others from the scene."

Adding to the controversy is the presence of an "administrative advisor" to the GLC, known as Mena, who has operated closely with both Urquía and Filema. Mena has reportedly boasted to several Freemasons about his ties to the State Security, even threatening to imprison or harm those who oppose his plans. "Mena is currently dictating the course of the GLC on behalf of the government and the Ministry of the Interior," one source asserted.

Further complicating the situation is the appointment of Juan Alberto Kessel Linares as Deputy Grand Master. Kessel had previously been elected to replace Urquía in March but relinquished control of the GLC back to Urquía following intervention by the Ministry of Justice (MINJUS), raising questions about his allegiance and the extent of state influence within the Order.

Persecution of Dissenting Voices

Freemasons have expressed concerns that Filema and his administration are replicating Urquía's tactics, suppressing dissent by suspending Masonic rights and initiating trials before the Supreme Court of Masonic Justice for fabricated "crimes." This has led to accusations of a "dictatorship in power" within the GLC.

Prominent Freemasons who have voiced opposition to state interference or possess the qualifications for higher office have been targeted. For instance, Sovereign Grand Commander José Ramón Viñas Alonso, who penned a letter to Miguel Díaz-Canel criticizing the repression of July 11, 2021, protesters, has faced continued harassment. Writer and former political prisoner Ángel Santiesteban Prats and Gerardo Cepero, a leading figure in the opposition to Urquía, remain suspended and under investigation.

Both Santiesteban and Cepero were detained and interrogated by State Security last year, while Viñas Alonso's letter to the Cuban leader has subjected him to multiple interrogations and scrutiny. In January 2023, former Grand Master Francisco Javier Alfonso Vidal sought exile in the United States due to pressure from the political police to control the Order. Alfonso Vidal revealed that State Security's primary objective was to remove Viñas Alonso from his position.

To consolidate their control, the current Grand Master has appointed a Supreme Court of Masonic Justice comprised of loyalists, led by Rancel Montero, who has spearheaded the judicial persecution of those opposed to the administration. "This mirrors the tactics of State Security, as some of those being prosecuted were first summoned and threatened by the political police," a source explained.

"This has been a complete lack of respect for our democratic integrity," a Freemason lamented. "It demonstrates that they have replicated the structure and practices of institutions like the Communist Party of Cuba and other political and mass organizations. It is evident that State Security is issuing the orders, which is entirely unacceptable."

State Appropriation of Masonic Property

Another source of contention is the Cuban regime's recent appropriation of approximately 40% of the GLC building. The majority of the building's floors had been seized in 1960 following the Urban Reform implemented by Fidel Castro.

On February 8 of this year, Grand Master Mayker Filema announced that Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz had signed a document "recognizing the property of the building in favor of the GLC, with the exception of the premises used by ETECSA." This effectively grants the Cuban state control over nearly two-fifths of the building, resolving a long-standing dispute between the Masonic community and the authorities.

Attempts to Consolidate Power

With the Semi-Annual Session of the Masonic High Chamber (Legislative Power) scheduled for March, during which elections for GLC leadership are to be held, concerns have arisen regarding Filema and his administration's intentions to perpetuate their power, even if it requires violating Masonic law.

"Rolando Mena has already threatened that if Filema does not remain Grand Master, Caridad Diego [head of the Office of Attention to Fraternal and Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of the PCC] and Miriam García [who attends to fraternal associations for MINJUS] will close Freemasonry and imprison Gerardo Cepero, who is the rightful successor," an interviewee claimed.

"The intention to remain as Grand Master illegally is only awaiting the approval of MINJUS, which has been requested, just as Urquía did," they added.

Another Freemason expressed hope that this scenario would not materialize, stating, "If it does, it would be the end of what little good remains and the annulment of a possible fraternal dawn in Cuban Freemasonry."

The unfolding events within the Grand Lodge of Cuba highlight the challenges faced by civil society organizations in Cuba, where state interference and political pressures can undermine their autonomy and integrity.