Another Multi-Million Peso Theft Uncovered at Cuba’s Grand Masonic Lodge

The new Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Cuba, Mayker Filema Duarte, has reported another suspected theft, this time amounting to two million CUP, which allegedly occurred during the tenure of former Grand Master Manuel Urquía. During Urquía's leadership, an additional $19,000 was also reported missing.

According to Special Circular No. 127, sent to Cuban lodges on September 6 and signed by Grand Master Filema Duarte—a document accessed by Cubanet—at least 2,116,555 pesos with 33 cents were illegally siphoned from the accounts of the Grand Lodge of Cuba between January and August of 2024. This amount equates to $17,637 based on Cuba's official exchange rate of 1 CUP per 120 USD.

The document reveals that the embezzlement was allegedly executed by the former Grand Treasurer Airam Cervera Reigosa in collusion with former Grand Master Mario Alberto Urquía Carreño. The discovery was made after Grand Master Filema Duarte ordered a financial audit, uncovering that Cervera had transferred funds from the Grand Lodge to his personal self-employed bank account.

Following the discovery, Filema Duarte proceeded to suspend Cervera's Masonic rights and referred him to the Masonic Supreme Court of Justice for prosecution. During the investigation period, Cervera Reigosa made seven bank transfers from the Grand Lodge's accounts: three to his personal account, totaling 2,029,110 CUP, and four to three other individuals amounting to 87,445 CUP.

The former Grand Treasurer is also accused of digitally manipulating the institution's bank statements, deleting transactions, and then presenting falsified versions to the accountant to cover up his embezzlement. The same circular notes that former Grand Master Mario Urquía was complicit in the crime, as both allegedly forged an invoice and instructed the institution's accountant to record the theft of $2,700 as a loss.

The Grand Lodge has already filed a formal complaint with the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) to prevent Cervera and Urquía, who were planning to travel abroad, from leaving the country. The source also reveals that Airam Cervera Reigosa was appointed Grand Treasurer by Mario Urquía following Urquía's appointment as Grand Master in March 2023.

The total amount embezzled from the Grand Lodge of Cuba now exceeds $40,000, based on the official exchange rate used by legal institutions on the island.

Crisis Within Cuban Masonry

The problems began with the mysterious theft of $19,000 from Mario Urquía's office in January of this year, an incident that led to his expulsion from the Order. Despite this, the Cuban Ministry of Justice, in an act of interference permitted by the country's laws, did not recognize the expulsion and reinstated Urquía within three months.

This action sparked a massive protest by Masons outside the Grand Master's office on July 23 and led to the insubordination of dozens of Cuban lodges. Urquía Carreño categorically denied responsibility for the theft and clarified that the police document he signed, committing to return the money, did not imply an admission of guilt. He explained that the delay in returning the sum was due to the need to comply with Cuban laws, which require the reimbursement in Cuban pesos (CUP), resulting in a substantial loss due to the disparity with the dollar's value in the informal market.

On August 18, Urquía Carreño, who served as Grand Master of Cuban Masonry despite growing dissent against him, finally resigned after at least seven months of intense disputes within the Masonic community on the island. Although Urquía Carreño clung to his position despite having been previously expelled from the Order, he made the decision following pressure from Cuban Masons, who demanded his resignation due to increasing internal divisions.

The resignation occurred after a meeting with more than a hundred Masons at the Grand Lodge of Cuba, convened by Urquía himself. After much pressure and a growing assembly at the meeting, Mario Urquía agreed to step down, and Deputy Grand Master Mayker Filema was appointed in his place. Filema is now tasked with calling for elections at the next High Chamber session, scheduled for this September.