Freemasonry has been present in Venezuala since 1824 and has included a number of prominent politicians.
The Gran Logia de la Republica de Venezuela or Grand Lodge of the republic of Venezuela founded in 1824, is based in Caracas. It claims 121 Lodges as of 2006. It is a member of the Confederación Masónica Interamericana and the Confederación Masónica Bolivariana.
After the split between Colombia and Venezuala the Grand Lodge was refounded for Venezuala in 1838. It's first Grand Master was Diego Bautista Urbaneja Sturdy, who had been Vice President..