Freemasons Protest at Cuba's Grand Lodge, Demand Assembly to Elect New Grand Master

In an unprecedented event in the history of Cuban Freemasonry, dozens of brothers gathered this Tuesday at the Grand Lodge of Cuba to protest against the reinstatement of Mario Urquía Carreño as Grand Master by the Ministry of Justice. Urquía Carreño, who was removed from his duties earlier this year by the Freemasons themselves following the disappearance of $19,000 from the National Masonic Asylum, appealed to the judicial authorities of the Cuban regime, which decided to reinstate him.

The decision has caused a rift within the Order, as it disregards the will of more than 300 lodges across the country that agreed on Urquía Carreño’s expulsion. The move was seen as an imposition by the Cuban regime's judiciary, which nullified the appointment of Juan Alberto Kessel Linares as Grand Master, as the Freemasons had overwhelmingly expressed.

Following the court’s decision, the Masonic community on the island has expressed strong opposition to Urquía Carreño’s reinstatement, viewing the Ministry of Justice's verdict as an intrusion into their affairs. According to independent media outlet CubaNet, some Freemasons voiced concerns about the government's actions, believing it aims to "dominate the Freemasons and eliminate all those who are inconvenient to the dictatorship."

Freemasons Stand Firm Despite State Pressure

This Tuesday, after announcing the gathering and facing pressure from State Security (specifically from Lieutenant Colonel Kenia) to cancel the event, dozens of Freemasons assembled at the Grand Lodge of Cuba amidst a heavy presence of plainclothes repressors. The atmosphere was tense but calm, with calls to maintain the dignity of the protest without resorting to provocations or violence.

“We need to restore the moral and order of the Grand Lodge of Cuba,” stated Iriel Hernández Cobreiro from the location, according to statements gathered by the aforementioned independent media. Meanwhile, Evelio Núñez from the Eureka lodge told CubaNet, “Cuban Freemasonry is making a very just claim regarding everything that is happening, and we believe that Mr. Urquía Carreño has very low moral standards to hold the position of Grand Master and represent us anywhere in the world.”

With the presence of independent journalist Camila Acosta from CubaNet and reporters from AFP, the Freemasons stood firm in front of the Order's headquarters. They aimed to communicate to Urquía Carreño their views on the illegitimacy of the position he usurped with the help of the State's repressive apparatus, and negotiate his departure to pave the way for a new leadership election.

Under the watchful eye of the statue of José Martí in the Grand Lodge's lobby, the Freemasons designated three representatives to enter the Grand Master's office to convey the will of the country's lodges and negotiate a dignified exit for all involved. They went up to the eleventh floor, but Urquía Carreño remained locked in his office, refusing to meet them.

In response, the gathered Freemasons decided to stay put, waiting for Urquía Carreño to face them and engage in dialogue with the elected representatives to uphold the Masonic principle of maintaining the Order's moral integrity and passing on the spirit of civility and fraternity forged over a century to future generations.

As of this report, the outcome of these events remains unknown. They are unfolding in the capital of a country in crisis, ravaged by the policies of a government increasingly unable to meet the population's needs, resorting to fear and repression to remain in power as anxiety, poverty, and inequality grow among the people.