Ángel Santiesteban-Prats, recently appointed as the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for the Republic of Cuba, disclosed on Thursday via Facebook that his residence is under surveillance by the political police and that the institution's bank accounts have been frozen for several months, preventing the payment of wages to employees.
This announcement comes merely days after the High Chamber of the Rite elected him as the top authority of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Cuba, with 19 votes in favor and one against, replacing José Ramón Viñas Alonso, who had led the body since 2015.
On Thursday, Santiesteban-Prats and the Grand Secretary were scheduled to submit election documentation to the Ministry of Justice for the elections held on Saturday, September 26, along with the agreements adopted by the High Chamber. However, this routine procedure was obstructed by the police operation, as recounted in a Facebook post.
“Since yesterday, I have been under siege, presumably to prevent any solidarity with the trial of Ana Bensi and her mother, which would merely be a humane issue. I have experienced this same injustice rigor and understand the value of support during such times. An operation that violates all universal rights,” wrote the writer and dissident.
On the same day as the announcement, the People's Municipal Court of Habana del Este found Anna Bensi and her mother Caridad Silvente guilty, sentencing them to two years of restricted freedom for recording and sharing on social media the visit of a MININT agent to their home.
Santiesteban-Prats also disclosed that the High Chamber of the Rite urged him not to politicize his position, as the primary goal is to restore the institution's legal operations: “The fundamental purpose is to attempt to regain the legality of the Supreme Council, following the freezing of bank accounts, which has meant that for months, workers who strive daily to keep it active and communicate with the rest of the country have not been paid.”
The account freezing is part of a broader state offensive against Cuban Freemasonry. In April 2024, the Ministry of Justice suspended the banking operations of the Grand Lodge and the Supreme Council, citing statutory irregularities.
In May 2025, the regime attempted to impose Lázaro Cuesta Valdés as the leader of the Supreme Council, threatening to withdraw official recognition if the Freemasons rejected the appointment.
Pressure on Santiesteban-Prats himself is not a new development. In June 2026, he was charged and placed under house arrest in connection with a $200 donation intended for the National Masonic Llansó Asylum.
Prior to that, in August, a precautionary measure was imposed on Viñas Alonso for “disobedience,” as part of the same harassment campaign.
The writer, who has been part of the Masonic Order for nearly four decades, concluded his complaint with a quote from Father Félix Varela and a direct accusation: “It is thus reported that the Supreme Council has once again been unable to fulfill its role due to the political police's constant interference, which hinders the development of our fraternal activities.”
Understanding the Challenges Facing Cuban Freemasonry
What is the significance of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree in Cuba?
The Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree is a leading Masonic organization in Cuba responsible for overseeing the activities of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite within the country.
Why were the bank accounts of the Masonic institutions frozen?
The Ministry of Justice froze the bank accounts citing statutory irregularities, though many view it as part of a broader crackdown on Masonic activities in Cuba.
How has the political climate affected Freemasonry in Cuba?
The Cuban government has increased pressure on Masonic institutions, including attempts to appoint leaders and legal challenges, as part of a larger campaign against perceived opposition.