Cuban masons called for a protest on Friday after the Ministry of Justice of Cuba attempted to force the removal of the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree, José Ramón Viñas Alonso, through an official summons delivered to his home, requiring him to appear this Friday and hand over his position to a «temporary» appointee designated by the authorities themselves.
According to the report by the Grand Chancellor of the Supreme Council, writer Ángel Santiesteban Prats, the official Miriam Marta García Meriño, director of Associations at the Ministry of Justice, delivered the summons to Viñas Alonso's home, calling him to appear at 9:30 AM on Friday at the institution's headquarters.
There, according to the complainants, there is an intention to carry out a change unilaterally decided by the Government.
The candidate that the regime wants to impose is Lázaro Faustino Cuesta Valdés, a figure who, according to Mason leaders, was removed from his roles as an active member upon turning 80 years old in February 2025 —in accordance with the organization's internal legislation— and who was later expelled by decision of the High Chamber of the Rite.
In light of the upcoming appearance, the Grand Chancellor called upon the Freemasons to gather starting at nine in the morning this Friday at the headquarters of the Supreme Council, located on 27 de Noviembre Street —formerly Jovellar— in Central Havana, dressed in their distinctive regalia.
Santiesteban Prats described the maneuver as a "slap" and warned that it violates international laws governing the Supreme Councils of the world: "This gentleman chosen by the regime, in a frontal attack against the decisions of his Masonic brothers and in response to his personal ambitions, has been 'handpicked,' as is customary by the government."
The Mason Sergio Rafael Vidal Aguila reported that the Ministry of Justice intends to implement Resolution 342/25, issued when Óscar Silvera Martínez was the head of that department.
The resolution was challenged before the People's Supreme Court, which upheld the administrative decision. Vidal also argued that the true aim of the authorities is to strip Viñas Alonso of his office as a preliminary step towards a potential judicial process.
The origin of this offensive dates back to July 2021, when the High Chamber of the Rite approved the sending of an open letter to Miguel Díaz-Canel condemning the "combat order" issued during the historic protests of July 11.
Since then, Viñas Alonso has faced pressure, interrogations, and multiple attempts to remove him from his position. Santiesteban himself summed it up: "This 'final' thrust has been taking shape for five years, starting from the events of July 11th."
It is not the first time that the regime has tried to control the institution. In May 2025, the Ministry of Justice attempted to impose a new leader at the head of the Supreme Council, an attempt that was rejected by the majority of the Freemasons of the Scottish Rite.
Months later, State Security interrogated Viñas Alonso and opened a criminal case for alleged "currency trafficking," related to money exchanges at unofficial rates to support the National Masonic Asylum.
In parallel, the official site Razones de Cuba published an article on Thursday accusing Viñas Alonso and Santiesteban of leading an alleged "corruption network" within the Cuban masonry, claiming misuse of funds and irregular currency operations, without providing documentary evidence.
The text concludes that the downfall of Viñas Alonso "is not political, but ethical."
Masonic leaders reject these accusations and point out that numerous Masonic bodies across the country have submitted documents to municipal and provincial records expressing their opposition to the measure and their unwavering support for the current Sovereign.
Santiesteban also called on the Supreme Councils of the world to raise awareness of what he deems a "flagrant violation" of international fraternity standards.
In June 2026, charges were brought against Santiesteban and he was placed under house arrest, which he directly associates with the regime's offensive against masonry.
"The Great Masters and the Sovereigns will never be chosen based on the likes and political benefits of the regime. They are selected to defend the rights of the Freemasons," wrote Santiesteban in a message addressed to both the Cuban membership and the international masonic community.
Related videos:
Filed under: