Cuba and the United States are still in the slow mending process of patching up old wounds. However, the two seem to be taking a few major steps in the right direction. According to NBC News, The Banco Central de Cuba (Central Bank of Cuba) has flashed the green light for MasterCards to now be accepted at ATMs throughout Havana, Cuba.
Florida’s Stonegate Bank and Puerto Rico’s Banco Popular have already announced their new and improved cards which will be compatible with Cuban ATMs. “This is going to be huge for American companies trying to do business down here,” said Stonegates president, David Seleski.
According to AP, More than 100 American individuals and businesses have opened accounts with the Stonegate debit cards approved for Cuba. Due to the current U.S. embargo, however, the MasterCard bank cards from Stonegate and Banco Popular will only be used for cash withdrawals associated with educational and cultural exchange trips, not individual tourism.
What’s the next step in reconciliation? Stay tuned.