In an intensified crackdown on Cuban Freemasonry, the State Security forces interrogated José Ramón Viñas Alonso, a prominent Masonic leader accused by the regime in what is widely regarded as a political persecution. Viñas Alonso, who holds the prestigious title of Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree in Cuba, was once again summoned to testify at the police station located at Acosta and Diez de Octubre, as reported by the independent media outlet, Cubanet.
Cubanet released a video showing "dozens of Freemasons" gathered outside the police station to express their support for their leader. The writer Ángel Santiesteban-Prats highlighted the escalating repression against Cuban Freemasonry, citing recent incidents as evidence.
"The repression against Freemasons is intensifying. Currently, Sovereign José Ramón Viñas Alonso is being questioned by the political police who are building a case to remove him from his position as retaliation for the letter dated July 11, 2021, which opposed the 'combat order' against the people," Santiesteban-Prats stated on Facebook this past Friday.
"I am surrounded by patrols and enforcers to prevent me from supporting the Freemasons at the police station. We've received information that a State Security command post has been set up nearby," he added, calling for international solidarity against what he termed the blatant persecution of Freemasonry in Cuba.
Ongoing Legal Battle
According to a source within the Masonic order who spoke to Cubanet under the condition of anonymity, Viñas Alonso was summoned to provide a statement with his lawyer present, following a prior interrogation where he refused to continue without legal counsel, a right he is entitled to.
On Tuesday, Viñas Alonso revealed on his Facebook profile that he had been called in by State Security and charged with currency trafficking. The interrogation focused on the organization's international travels and the source of its funding. Viñas explained that the real issue seems to be linked to a unanimous decision by the Masonic Board to exchange two sums of $100 this year among members to cover urgent expenses in national currency related to the asylum they manage.
The authorities raised concerns that the exchange was conducted at an unofficial rate of 370 pesos, instead of the state-mandated exchange rate of 120, thus constituting an economic offense.
"They claim currency trafficking because it wasn’t exchanged at the bank… indicating that it’s a crime punishable by 2 to 5 years of imprisonment," Viñas denounced, noting that restrictive measures such as movement limitations (home to work) and travel bans have been imposed.
"We have no concerns because, as citizens, we don't even have a traffic violation," wrote the Masonic leader, asserting that the issue extends beyond financial aspects. "We understand the intentions behind this; it will be what it needs to be. However, I declare to my brethren our innocence," he affirmed.
Regime's Interference
This latest assault exacerbates the institutional conflict that has been unsettling Cuban Freemasonry since May, when hundreds of brothers ousted the then-Grand Master Mayker Filema Duarte for attempting to extend his tenure indefinitely.
Despite the legitimacy of the internal decision, the Ministry of Justice dismissed the process, backed Filema, and subsequently appointed a new Masonic leader aligned with the regime. Since then, Freemasons have faced repression, police summons, eviction from their temples, and threats of account freezes if they resisted the state's impositions. Nevertheless, they have continued their activities, even holding sessions on the street, in front of the statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, under heavy police surveillance.
"If the government seeks to dominate us, we will not allow it," declared Juan Alberto Kessell Linares, the elected Grand Master, at the time.
This development comes merely 24 hours after the Justice Minister, Óscar Manuel Silvera Martínez, stated on national television that the government does not meddle in Freemasonry's internal affairs.
"It is an intrusion into our private heritage that has never been used outside the asylum's benefit," they reiterate, emphasizing that all donations are accounted for with vouchers, accounting books, and the Patronato's authorization.
FAQs on Cuban Freemasonry and State Repression
Who is José Ramón Viñas Alonso?
José Ramón Viñas Alonso is a prominent Masonic leader in Cuba, serving as the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree. He is a vocal critic of the Cuban regime.
Why was Viñas Alonso interrogated by State Security?
Viñas Alonso was interrogated over allegations of currency trafficking related to the Masonic organization's financial activities. The regime accuses him of economic offenses due to currency exchanges at unofficial rates.
What is the Cuban government's stance on Freemasonry?
Despite official claims of non-interference, the Cuban government has been accused of intervening in Freemasonry's internal affairs, including dismissing legitimate leadership changes and imposing new leaders aligned with the regime.