Ally of Venezuela's Guaido takes refuge in Chile diplomatic residence

FILE PHOTO: Emilio Grateron, national head of activism of Popular Will (Voluntad Popular) party, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Caracas, Venezuela March 13, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition activist and former mayor Emilio Grateron has taken refuge in the Chilean diplomatic residence in Caracas, Chilean and Venezuelan authorities said, amid a wave of arrests of political adversaries of President Nicolas Maduro.

Security forces this week arrested opposition leader Freddy Guevara as well as other activists of opposition party Popular Will, accusing some of them of being involved in gang violence that paralyzed the capital last week.