Cuban broadcaster Laritza Camacho took to Facebook to express her admiration and pride in the civic conduct of Cuban Freemasons. This statement came shortly after the regime handed down sentences to four members of the organization, which legal entities have termed a political persecution.
"I also feel pride for the Freemasons of today in my homeland, for their civic stature and their intelligence in staying united. I see no disrespect in them or poorly spoken words, only transparency and that brave integrity that never hides and is always called manliness," Camacho shared on her Facebook page.
Known for her work on Radio Ciudad de La Habana and the TV show "Mediodía en TV," Camacho reflected on her family connection to the Freemasonry, noting that both an uncle and a brother of her grandmother were part of the fraternity. She described them as "upright, discreet, impeccably behaved, and kind to their family." She also highlighted that many prominent figures in Cuban history were part of this brotherhood.
Camacho criticized the economic struggles in Cuba, stating, "The Cuba that lives off dollars coming from abroad through any supportive hand, sold and bought by the highest bidder (never the State), the Cuba that they said would not be dollarized, the Cuba that struggles without knowing how each family will start or end the day, needed to witness their conduct. I am certain of it." She added, "I find it fitting at this moment to express my opinion and how I feel upon seeing them."
Government Crackdown on Freemasons
Camacho's remarks follow the November 5th sentencing of José Ramón Viñas Alonso, Fernando Marcos García, Ángel Santiesteban Prats, and Osvaldo Ernesto Villegas Digat by the Diez de Octubre Municipal People's Court in Havana. The sentences range from two to four years of limited freedom, based on the informal exchange of just 300 dollars in two transactions to meet the needs of the Llansó National Masonic Asylum, which cares for around 90 elderly individuals.
The regime's crackdown on independent Freemasonry intensified after July 11, 2021, when the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree opposed Díaz-Canel's call for a violent response to protesters. Since then, the government has conducted interrogations, audits, and account freezes.
In August 2026, over 100 Freemasons mobilized in Havana to thwart the Ministry of Justice's attempt to install a regime-friendly interim leader. Weeks later, the High Chamber elected Santiesteban Prats as the new Sovereign Grand Commander, prompting the government to issue judicial sentences.
According to the legal organization Cubalex, both currency exchange operations were recorded in the asylum's accounting books, and the investigation was assigned to the MININT's Specialized Body for Crimes Against State Security, an unusual move for a currency exchange case. "Assigning the investigation of a 300 USD accounting adjustment in a charitable entity to the State's Intelligence and Security apparatus clearly demonstrates political persecution and government interference in the autonomy of Cuban Freemasonry," the organization concluded.
Santiesteban Prats reported that the court leaked the sentence to the official media outlet Razones de Cuba before the judge finished reading it in court. He also recalled a warning from a State Security lieutenant colonel identified as "Kenia": "Either you step down, or we will remove you."
Understanding the Crackdown on Cuban Freemasonry
Why were Cuban Freemasons recently sentenced?
The Cuban government sentenced four Freemasons for currency exchange transactions deemed illegal, which were used to support the Llansó National Masonic Asylum. This has been viewed as a politically motivated move against independent Freemasonry.
What sparked the government's intensified actions against Freemasons?
The crackdown intensified after the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree opposed government calls for violence against protestors on July 11, 2021. This led to increased government scrutiny and action against Freemasonry.
How has the Freemasonry community responded to these actions?
The Freemasonry community has shown resilience by mobilizing to prevent regime-friendly leadership and electing a new Sovereign Grand Commander, despite facing judicial reprisals from the government.