Cuba will suspend payment transactions using Visa and Mastercard cards from June 6 following the termination of a key banking relationship, a move Cuban authorities directly attribute to the latest round of US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
The announcement was made by the Central Bank of Cuba (Banco Central de Cuba), which said a foreign banking partner had informed Cuban financial institutions that it could no longer legally continue processing transactions under existing agreements.
According to the bank, the foreign institution cited recent US regulatory measures that make it “illegal and impossible” to maintain its contractual relationship with the Cuban entity.
In an official statement, the Central Bank said the disruption is a direct consequence of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on May 1. Cuban authorities described the measure as part of a broader campaign designed to increase economic pressure on the island.
“The interruption is directly linked to the executive order and forms part of the strategy of economic suffocation against the Cuban people,” the Central Bank stated.
The suspension is expected to affect international visitors, expatriates, and businesses that rely on Visa and Mastercard payment services while operating in Cuba.
Travelers planning trips to the island are being advised to confirm payment options with airlines, hotels, tour operators, and local service providers before departure.
Since returning to office in January 2025, the Trump administration has reinstated a policy of “maximum pressure” against Cuba, arguing that the communist-run island poses an “extraordinary threat” to US national security. The administration has tightened financial restrictions, expanded sanctions, and increased scrutiny of international companies conducting business with Cuban entities.
The latest development adds to Cuba’s growing economic challenges, which include ongoing fuel shortages, inflation, limited foreign currency reserves, and difficulties accessing international financial services.
For the travel industry, the suspension of Visa and Mastercard transactions creates another hurdle for inbound tourism, a sector the Cuban government has identified as critical to generating much-needed foreign exchange earnings.
