Cuban exiles are demanding the US disburse more than $40 million in aid on hold since 2009

LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ AP Hispanic Affairs Writer

11:54 AM EST, March 4, 2010
MIAMI (AP) — Cuban-Americans and others working to support political opposition in Cuba want to know why the U.S. has yet to disburse $40 million allocated over the last two years to support pro-democracy efforts on the island.

Congress approved about $20 million in 2009 and 2010. But the Obama administration has yet to ask potential grantees for proposals to spend that money. The government says it's taking its time to review program oversight and efficiency. The Cuba program has long been criticized for wasting resources and for not requiring competitive bidding. Still, supporters say the recent death of one political prisoner and the hospitalization of another make the aid more crucial than ever.

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