Cuba announced plans to suspend Visa and Mastercard payment card transactions, citing ongoing US sanctions as the primary reason for the decision.

The suspension affects international payment processing capabilities on the island, where US economic sanctions have created ongoing challenges for financial transactions and business operations.

The move represents another escalation in the economic tensions between Cuba and the United States, as existing sanctions continue to impact various sectors of the Cuban economy.

Cuba has faced sustained economic pressure through US sanctions, which have affected multiple aspects of the country's financial infrastructure and international commerce capabilities.

The payment card suspension is expected to further complicate financial transactions for both Cuban residents and international visitors to the island who rely on these widely-used payment systems.