In mid-June, hundreds of Cuban Masons gathered in front of the Grand Masonic Lodge in Havana to request the removal of Grand Master Mayker Filem Duarte from office. According to them, his word of office was illegally extended, blocking the holding of an electoral session before the end of his word in March, which was considered an effort at a "post".
On behalf of a group of critics, Juan Alberto Kessell Linares spoke, who took the position of the Grand Master in the rules, representing a faction that did not admit Filema. He said that "our Masonic jurisdiction is in deep crisis." 117 representatives of the lodge took part in the May 25 session and 209 of 320 lodges supported the appeal of Filema, as confirmed by Secretary Victor Bravo en.cibercuba.com+1x.com+1.
Participants besides request that the Cuban Ministry of Justice retreat authoritative designation for Filema's signature and call fresh elections, in accordance with the Statute of the Organization. So far, the Directorate for Associations acting at the Ministry has initially supported the controversial leader. Following the intervention of the Masonic delegation, Deputy Minister Lilia María Hernández proposed a fresh session on 6 July, but this was met with opposition from the protesters. However, she promised to re-examine the case.
According to Kessell, the position of the ministry violates the autonomy of the organisation, protected by interior regulations (Article 50 of the Masonic Constitution) and Cuban law. He pointed out that the crisis "does not have a affirmative effect on society" and that it is about "re-establishing the morals and principles" of Masonic society.
During the protest , the “Declaration of Rules” was read confirming the nullity of the extended office of Filema in accordance with the interior rules . This is another reputational crisis for the large Lodge – in 2024 the earlier Master Mario Alberto Urquía was accused of embezzlement of $19,000, causing a scandal inside and outside the Masonry.
