Filema’s dictatorship over the Grand Lodge of Cuba ended this Saturday after the elections in the National Masonic Building.
HAVANA, Cuba – José Manuel Valdés Menéndez-Cuesta, freemason of the Federico Valdés lodge of the Cotorro municipality, in Havana, was elected as the new Grand Master (GM) of the Grand Lodge of Cuba (GLC) after general elections held this Saturday in the National Masonic Building located in the capital. In this way, the Freemasons culminated in the dictatorship of Mayker Filema.
The session began on Saturday afternoon despite the fact that the representatives of some 130 lodges in the country were there early. Freemasons consulted by CubaNet explained that, due to pressure from the Ministry of Justice (MINJUS), despite the fact that Filema had been previously dismissed, they were forced to accept him to preside over the session. Filema, who had promised to hold the general elections, delayed the session, claiming that he only accepted the presence of representatives of lodges that were not suspended, that is, those who opposed his violations of Masonic legislation and who were the vast majority of those present.
“All morning we were in that struggle because those suspensions were illegal and all those brothers had the right to be there. If they had accepted it, barely twenty would have been able to stay,” said one of the witnesses.
Finally, around noon, Filema said he was leaving, which would end the session. However, “this time we already had the experience and we did not allow it: Brother Kessel, as Deputy Grand Master (the equivalent Vice President), then stood up and said that, according to our law, since the GM is incapacitated, the Deputy can continue with the session and he did so,” said another of those consulted.
Along with Filema, some of his loyal followersbut two of them stayed, expressing their disagreement with the decision and, as such, supporting the Masonic Upper Chamber (a meeting of the representatives of the country’s lodges, the equivalent of Parliament in Freemasonry); They were Juan Carlos Yero and Juliannis Galano, Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary, respectively.
In this way, the Freemasons continued with the session and were even able to hold the general elections where Manuel Valdés was elected.
The dictator
Filema replaced Mario Urquia as GM after his resignation in August 2024. Six months later, with the aim of perpetuating himself in power, he abandoned the annual session of the Upper House when the Freemasons demanded that he carry out the general elections established by the Masonic laws. A month later, the Upper House dismissed but the MINJUS refused to recognize the decision protected by Law 54 or Law of Associations, through which they have the power to approve or not the agreements of the lodges and their Upper Chamber.
This resulted in internal tensions and with government institutions that were denounced in a press conference at the GLC. In response to complaints of interference, the Minister of Justice appeared on national television to deny them and try to explain the government’s position. At parState Security summoned and threatened the leaders of the revolt. TO Juan Alberto Kessel Linaresdesignated GM by Regulatory Substitution (until the call for elections), they summoned him on at least two occasions and even imposed a precautionary measure of house arrest on him.
One of the most critical moments was evident July 6 Lastly, when two dozen Freemasons met at the GLC to prevent Filema from continuing to usurp the position. The “filemistas” tried to prevent access to the building, but the seconds made their way by singing the Cuban National Anthem, a war cry written by a Mason.
However, the MINJUS ignored the will of the Freemasons and supported Filema. Last March, he again postponed the AC session due to alleged threats against him. Finally, the session took place this Saturday.
A new path
José Manuel Valdés Menéndez-Cuesta has more than 25 years of experience in Freemasonry within the Island. His candidacy was presented with the motto “United we are stronger”; It comes at a time when the Freemasons, after almost two years of internal conflicts and with the ruling party, and two dismissed grand masters, need to recover legality and prestige.
“Now we just have to wait for the MINJUS to approve it, but we hope that this is the case because it is not useful to them (the regime) and Filema, in addition, it is not convenient for them to have more than 15,000 men in revolt for so long, and the indignation is general,” stated one of the witnesses on condition of anonymity.
Another Mason consulted expressed: “He is a decent and honest man. We trust that, together with his team, he will be able to take on the new challenges that are presented to us, but, above all, recover our independence, get rid of traitors and infiltrators, and guide the Order along the paths of virtue, honor, brotherhood and freedom.”
