WASHINGTON _ Sen. Ted Cruz is leading a group of Republican lawmakers that has devised a plan to punish countries, industries or financial institutions caught moving gold for Venezuela or Iran.
The aim is to increase economic pressure on Venezuela leader Nicolas Maduro and warn banks in Russia and Turkey to think twice before trying to help him.
"Our enemies work with each other, and too often with some of our problematic allies, to circumvent American sanctions by illicitly trading precious metals and stones," said Cruz, a Texas Republican.
