Cuba – the government imposes the large Master

Matthew Diaz, CubaHeadlines, 18 June 2024

The restoration by the Cuban government of Mario Alberto Urquíi Carreño to the position of Grand Master of the ultimate Council and the large Lodge caused a wave of discontent among Cuban Masons. Urquía Carreño was reinstated by the Ministry of Justice (MINJUS)'s Association Directorate, omitting the majority's decision to reject him after charges of embezzlement of $19,000 from his office early this year and another activities considered by the Masonic community to be a “state traitor”.
“The Masons do not accept Urquíi; many people decide not to recognise it and will notify the MINJUS Association registry about it”, he told the independent Cuban portal 1 of the Masonic informants who wanted to stay anonymous. The same origin added that there is “a large confusion but a unanimous sense of rejection”.
The Masons seem determined to step down from their positions unless the Grand Master resigns. According to Cuban, others plan to gather in large numbers in the large Lodge building to protest and request the removal of Urquía.
One specified individual is Master Karel Miralles Sánchez, who organized a sitting in the large Lodge of Cuba as a form of protest, asking Urquía to submit a formal signed resignation. "I am not calling for anything or anyone; I am guided by a individual situation, utilizing my right to protest, 1 of the first rights granted to me erstwhile I joined this dignified institution," he said in the video.

Another origin with whom Cubanet spoke, argued that “if most masons decide that we do not want him, he should step down. If MINJUS considers that this is not the right way to expel it, we will immediately repeat this process." They added that “the overwhelming majority do not want to proceed to direct our community due to the fact that they are materially and morally liable for the failure of funds donated to aid the brothers in need. Nothing that can be imposed in advance works in a democratic strategy specified as ours."

Repeating this sentence, another Mason accused the safety Service of being behind this situation, suggesting that they “play with fire. This could be the impulse that we Masons request to yet take the initiative in the changes that Cuba requires."

According to Cuban, respective employees of the Grand Lodge of Cuba resigned in protest. In March, Urquía Carreño was expelled from a six-monthly session of the advanced House.

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