Antonio Ledezma has railed against government corruption
The mayor of Venezuela's capital, Antonio Ledezma, has been arrested amid accusations of a coup attempt.
President Nicolas Maduro said the opposition leader must answer "for all the crimes committed against the country's peace and security".
Camouflaged police smashed into the mayor's office and carried him away.
The arrest comes on the anniversary of the start of months of protests against Mr Maduro's rule that left dozens of people dead.
The Human Rights Watch group has called for Mr Ledezma's immediate release.
Hundreds of people gathered at the intelligence agency's HQ in Caracas to protest at the arrest.
Mr Maduro said: "Mr Ledezma, who today by order of the prosecution was captured, must be processed by Venezuelan justice to answer for all the crimes committed against the country's peace, security, constitution."
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