Kerry spokesman Frederick Jones, in an email to El Nuevo Herald Thursday afternoon, wrote that the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations “lifted the hold on the Cuba funds” after State and USAID officials agreed to a “thorough review of the programs.”

There was no explanation for the reports by Capitol Hill staffers throughout Thursday that the Massachusetts Democrat had lifted his hold Wednesday then put it back on, saying he wanted to wait because freeing the funds now might anger Cuba and delay its possible release of Gross.

Sen. Bob Menendez, a Cuban-American Democrat from New Jersey who favors releasing the money, at one point was considering blocking Senate action on all U.S. ambassadorial nominations until Kerry cancelled his block, the staffers added.

“Baffling,” one of the staffers told El Nuevo Herald. The staffers asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on what has been a long, pitched and bitter fight in Congress over Cuba policies.

   Launched in 1996, the Cuba programs are designed to help non-government groups such as dissidents, blacks and youths. Havana alleges they are part of a subversive effort to overthrow the communist government, and has outlawed any cooperation with them.

Kerry has been holding up the $20 million since April 1, complaining that the programs are ineffectiveand wasteful.