In a new display of state interference in the lives of civil organizations, the Ministry of Justice of Cuba ordered the replacement of the current leader of the Supreme Council for the 33rd Degree of Freemasonry, José Ramón Viñas, with the babalawo Lázaro Cuesta Valdés, a veteran mason and a figure close to the regime.
The measure, which has sparked strong controversy within the Masonic community, was communicated through a letter signed on May 27 by the Associations Directorate of the Ministry, reported the independent portal 14 y Medio.
It invalidates the reelection of Viñas – an uncomfortable leader for the Government due to his critical stance and independence – and proposes Cuesta as his replacement, along with the threat to freeze the funds of masonry if he is not accepted.
Viñas, monitored by State Security for years, has been one of the central figures in the crisis that has shaken Cuban freemasonry since January 2024.
He was the one who reported the theft of 19,000 dollars from the Grand Lodge of Cuba and accused former leader Mario Urquía Carreño of concealing the theft and allowing government agents to infiltrate the order.
The appointment of Cuesta as Commander of the Supreme Council was accompanied by threats from the Ministry of Justice: if the Freemasons refuse to accept this designation, their official recognition as an association will be revoked and their bank accounts will be frozen.
For many within the brotherhood, Cuesta's appointment – who also leads the Miguel Febles Commission of the independent Yorubas and has been noted for his closeness to the Ministry of the Interior – represents the institutionalization of government interference in one of the few remaining autonomous civil organizations in the country.
On social media, members of the Freemasonry have accused Cuesta of being "a man of the regime" and "an active agent of the MININT since 1990," which calls into question his legitimacy and commitment to the principles of brotherhood.
They have also linked him to corruption practices and complicity with official structures, as observed in his increasingly aligned role with the Yoruba Cultural Association.
For his part, the independent writer and journalist Ángel Santiesteban, recently expelled from the Grand Lodge, denounced what he considers an operation orchestrated by State Security.
He recalled that in the past two years there have been scandals, internal excommunications, infiltrations by agents, and elections not recognized by the authorities. Santiesteban demands respect for internal processes, including the recent appointments of Alberto Kessel as Grand Master and Viñas as Commander of the Supreme Council.
"We hope that the rescue of the Grand Lodge can be achieved, whether totalitarianism likes it or not. At the same time, it tries to destabilize the Supreme with lies and distortions of the law, and interventions in internal matters that do not concern them. The Masonic membership is united. We all want the same thing: to live our Masonic lives without external interference. And in that struggle, we remain focused until we achieve the freedom that Freemasonry needs, as its own philosophy dictates," he emphasized on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Viñas has chosen to remain silent. Staying true to his belief that Masonic matters should be resolved within the order and not in the media, he has refrained from making public statements. However, for many Freemasons, the current situation represents a crossroads: to accept the intervention of the regime or to defend the autonomy and legacy of an institution that has been committed to freedom of thought and moral independence for centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Government's Interference in Freemasonry
Why did the Ministry of Justice of Cuba intervene in Cuban freemasonry?
The Ministry of Justice of Cuba intervened in Cuban Freemasonry to replace the leader of the Supreme Council for the 33rd Degree, José Ramón Viñas, with Lázaro Cuesta Valdés. This action appears to be a response to Viñas' critical and independent stance, making him an uncomfortable leader for the government. Furthermore, the Ministry has threatened to freeze the bank accounts of Freemasonry if Cuesta's appointment is not accepted, as he is seen as a figure close to the regime.
Who is Lázaro Cuesta Valdés and why is his appointment controversial?
Lázaro Cuesta Valdés is a babalawo and veteran mason known for his closeness to the Cuban regime. His appointment as leader of the Supreme Council has been controversial because many consider him a "man of the regime" and an "active agent of MININT." This perception raises doubts about his legitimacy and commitment to the principles of Freemasonry, an institution that has been seen as a space for free thought in Cuba.
What consequences does Cuban Freemasonry face if it rejects the appointment of Lázaro Cuesta?
If Cuban Freemasonry rejects the appointment of Lázaro Cuesta, the Ministry of Justice has threatened to withdraw their official recognition as an association and freeze their bank accounts. This threat of state intervention marks a turning point in the long history of tensions between the Cuban state and autonomous civil organizations on the island, placing Freemasonry at a crossroads between submission to the regime or the defense of its autonomy.
What has been the response of the Masonic community to the regime's intervention?
The Masonic community has responded with indignation and resistance to the intervention of the Cuban regime. On social media, members of the Freemasonry have expressed their rejection of Cuesta's appointment and have accused him of being an agent of the regime. Furthermore, figures such as the independent writer and journalist Ángel Santiesteban have denounced the operation as a strategy by the State to infiltrate and control the institution. The Masonic community now finds itself in a critical situation, torn between accepting the intervention and defending its historic autonomy.
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