An investigative report by CubaNet has sent shockwaves through the Cuban Freemasonry community. The report unveils two documents from the Grand Lodge of Cuba, which, if proven genuine, would implicate former Grand Master Mayker Filema Duarte and former Grand Secretary Juliannis Galano Gómez in providing sensitive internal information to the regime's political police.
Filema has vehemently denied the legitimacy of these documents, labeling them as forgeries. Galano has refrained from commenting when approached.
Compromising Correspondence Surfaces
The first of these letters, dated August 15, 2025, is addressed to Major René Aranguren Menéndez, identified as the chief investigator of the Criminal Investigation-Delitos against State Security. This document addresses inquiries from the official concerning a complaint by Miriam Martha García Mariño, Director of Associations at the Ministry of Justice, against Juan Alberto Kessel Linares, who had publicly accused her of colluding with Filema.
In the letter, the authors cite alleged Masonic violations by Kessel and Víctor Bravo Cabañas, accusing them of "disrespecting the Grand Master's authority, betraying their oaths of office, and assuming unauthorized roles."
The letter concludes with a phrase strikingly inappropriate in communication with a State Security officer: "We look forward to your favorable attention, fraternally."
More Damning Evidence Emerges
Just five days later, a second document emerges, significantly more incriminating. According to the copy provided to CubaNet, the signatories agree to a "suggestion of cooperation" and express their willingness to provide any requested information about members of the Grand Lodge, including data on former affiliates.
The document mentions, "In our passive archives, we possess detailed information about those no longer affiliated," including addresses and family data.
Cuban Freemasons consulted by CubaNet identified Aranguren Menéndez as a member of the Soles de Martí lodge and one of the officials who detained and interrogated Kessel and Bravo in July 2025.
Filema's Firm Denial
Upon being contacted on the day of publication, Filema categorically denied the allegations: "That is entirely false. I would rather die than have any dealings with this government."
He further stated, "I don't know who released or fabricated these documents, but it's a complete fabrication." He insisted, "At no point have I collaborated with State Security; I have not, and I will never."
In subsequent WhatsApp messages, he referred to "the great baseness being committed" and asserted that the only way to prove his innocence was "by going to the authorities and accusing Kessel, Manuel, and the GS [Juliannis Galano]."
He attributed the publication to "Masonic issues."
A Long-Brewing Crisis
The emergence of these letters follows over two years of turmoil within the Grand Lodge. Filema assumed leadership in August 2024, but the High Masonic Chamber removed him in May 2025 for refusing to call elections.
The Ministry of Justice continued to recognize him for weeks, which his opponents viewed as state interference.
On July 5, 2025, State Security detained Kessel and Bravo. The next day, over a hundred Freemasons forced their way into the Grand Lodge headquarters in Havana, singing the National Anthem to prevent what they considered an illegitimate session.
In June of this year, the Masonic Supreme Court expelled eight members — including Filema — on charges of treason, fraud, abuse, and embezzlement.
Suspicions of state infiltration in Cuban Freemasonry are not new. In March 2011, state television revealed that José Manuel Collera Vento, Grand Master from 2000 to 2003, had collaborated with the political police under the aliases "Duarte" and "Gerardo."
Political Context Surrounding the Scandal
The scandal arises at a time of heightened scrutiny of the fraternity. The same day CubaNet released the documents, U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer met with Ángel Santiesteban-Prats, the newly elected Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree, to discuss the potential role of Freemasonry in distributing U.S. humanitarian aid.
The following day, the official portal Razones de Cuba published an extensive piece on the dangers of Freemasonry serving "foreign agendas," without mentioning the letters implicating former leaders of active collaboration with the political police.
Key Questions About the Cuban Freemasonry Scandal
What are the accusations against Mayker Filema Duarte?
Filema is accused of providing internal information from the Grand Lodge of Cuba to State Security, according to documents leaked in an investigation by CubaNet.
How has Filema responded to these allegations?
Filema has strongly denied any collaboration with State Security, stating that the documents are false and part of a smear campaign.
What is the history of state infiltration in Cuban Freemasonry?
There have been previous instances of state infiltration, such as the case of José Manuel Collera Vento, who admitted to collaborating with the political police under pseudonyms.