In an announcement by the press service of the Russian National Payment System, (NPSK), it was revealed that Russia’s Mir payment cards are now being accepted in Cuba at point of sale (POS) terminals.

The statement noted that in the course of the rollout, the cards would be accepted first in popular tourist locations, such as the capital of Cuba, Havana, and the resort town of Varadero.

The statement read, “Tourists from Russia can now use Mir cards to pay in stores, hotels, restaurants, and other commercial and service establishments throughout the country.”

Vladimir Komlev, the head of NSPK, said, “We will work with our partners to ensure that in the near future our cards are accepted throughout Cuba. Payments with Russian cards are made at the rate set by the Mir payment system. We’re trying to make it as viable as possible.”

Cuba had announced in March Russia’s alternative to Western payment cards would be launching in the Caribbean nation. In Havana, several banks now are hosting ATMs which display the MIR logo, and offer to allow customers to use the cards to withdraw pesos from the Russian bank cards.

The operator of Russia’s Mir payment card system notes it has enjoyed a steady increase in demand for new cards, since the beginning of last year. Currently there are roughly ten nations worldwide which make use of the system, and fifteen more have expressed interest in adopting the system in the future.

In Venezuela, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto has said that the Mir payment system is now accepted throughout the nation. Caracas first began accepting payments through the Russian cards in June of this year.