CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Venezuelan prosecutors say they have arrested the ruling-party mayor of a large city as part of a crackdown on corruption.
Sunday's announcement from the national prosecutor's office says Valencia Mayor Edgardo Parra was detained Saturday night. He has denied wrongdoing.
Officials earlier announced the arrests of two people suspected of fraudulent dealings with the city of about 2.2 million people.
President Nicolas Maduro has promised a crackdown on corruption, and has asked Venezuela's Congress to give him special powers to carry out that fight. The global watchdog group Transparency International ranks Venezuela as one of the world's most corrupt nations.
Critics have accused the government of using corruption allegations to target political foes, while protecting its allies. Parra is the most prominent pro-government figure so far detained in the crackdown.