Mario Urquía Carreño, once the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Cuba, and Airam Cervera Reigosa, the former Grand Treasurer, returned one million Cuban pesos (CUP) to the Masonic institution on Friday. This restitution follows a massive embezzlement accusation brought forth by the current leadership, as reported by the independent outlet Cubanet.
Mayker Filema Duarte, the current Grand Master, disclosed in an official statement accessed by Cubanet that the money handover occurred in the presence of officials from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, and the National Bank of Cuba. Also present were executives from the Grand Lodge of Cuba, including Grand Secretary Juliannis Galano Gómez and Grand Treasurer Juan Carlos Yero Ramos.
Fraud Details Uncovered
According to the independent media report, the accused had already misappropriated at least 2.1 million pesos through bank statement manipulations and invoice forgeries, an amount equivalent to over 17,600 dollars at the official exchange rate. The Masonic leadership also noted that an additional 3 million pesos could be returned in the coming days as part of the restitution process.
The investigation uncovered that Cervera Reigosa, in collaboration with Urquía Carreño, altered official accounting records to disguise the illicit activities. They even instructed the institution's accountant to record the theft of 2,700 dollars as a loss.
Unresolved Theft Allegations
The scandal further involves allegations of a supposed theft of 19,000 dollars from the former Grand Master's office. This money belonged to the National Masonic Asylum, and no explanation has yet been provided.
The Grand Lodge of Cuba stated that the complaint lodged in September 2024 prevented the accused from potentially fleeing abroad. However, Cubanet argues that the confirmed embezzlement exceeds 40,000 dollars, causing a significant internal crisis within the Masonic institution and tarnishing the public image of its former leaders.
Controversy Surrounding Accountability
Political writer and Mason Ángel Santiesteban-Prats questioned on Facebook why Urquía and Cervera remain free if the "facts are already established and proven." He posed the question, "Why did the Ministry of Justice defend and protect them until the last moment when they were forced to resign by the Masons? If not for their expulsion, they would still have support today," suggesting the regime might be attempting a "shock effect" on the Masonic community.
Masonic Lodge Under Scrutiny
The Cuban Masonic community, shaken in 2024 by the corruption scandal involving former Grand Master Mario Urquía Carreño, faces a severe crisis. However, this time the response has been one of unity, mobilization, and a commitment to their foundational principles.
The scandal led to Urquía Carreño's forced resignation as Grand Master, leaving the internal environment deeply divided. His successor, Mayker Filema Duarte, publicly exposed the fraud. Although Urquía and Cervera returned one million pesos in August 2025, the presence of MININT, Ministry of Justice, and National Bank of Cuba officials during the restitution did little to quell the outrage, as the whereabouts of several more million pesos remain unresolved.
Masonic Lodge Fraud Investigation
What actions were taken after the fraud was discovered?
After the fraud was uncovered, Mario Urquía Carreño and Airam Cervera Reigosa returned one million pesos to the Grand Lodge of Cuba. The current leadership has been working to recover additional funds and prevent further losses.
How much money is still missing from the Grand Lodge of Cuba?
Despite the return of one million pesos, over 40,000 dollars are still unaccounted for, according to reports. The investigation is ongoing to recover the missing funds.
Who were present during the money restitution?
Officials from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, National Bank of Cuba, and executives from the Grand Lodge of Cuba, including the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, were present during the restitution.