Various manufacturing unions continue to declare o Executive Order 707 which allows the carrying and possession of weapons for civilian use for personal defense. This time, the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) is questioning the fact that the 23 gauge long-range vessels are not included, which they say puts them at a disadvantage given the insecurity they face in the sector.

They indicate that organized crime has rifles and machine guns for crimes against shrimp boats by river or land, while sector guards can “barely” use pistols, revolvers and shotguns.

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“CNA questions that Executive Order 707 issued on April 1st…did not include the authorization to carry and possess long-range weapons -caliber 223-, only for guards of companies that provide surveillance and private protection services, in order to neutralize or repel criminal activity with weapons of the same caliber, at least in the modality of the mobile security service”, they stated.

According to CNA, another issue that it believes the national government left out of the regulation was implementation of facilities for the import of weapons, spare parts and ammunition at least for companies dealing with surveillance and private security services, – as they say – there is currently no competent state company stock offer to individuals and legal entities.

In this sense, they call on the Executive Power to order the competent authorities to establish these “objects”.

Also encourage the simplification of requirements and procedures for obtaining permits to carry weapons. They show that since 2012, CNA sent letters addressed to the ministries of defense, interior affairs and the late security coordinator.

“We have always been in favor of the regulated carrying of weapons. When we talk about the shrimp sector, we are talking about operations in rural areas where there is no presence of public forces,” said José Antonio Camposano, executive president of CNA.

After twelve years, the carrying of weapons for civilian use for personal defense was allowed again

After the issuance of resolution 2018 – 122, the shrimp sector has the authorization to carry and possess weapons, for “natural persons of Ecuadorian nationality (ranchers and shrimp farmers), with which the users will get security in their jurisdiction”, however -they highlighted- figures of insecurity in the sector are on the rise.

According to CNA Security Administration statistics, in the first quarter of 2023 against the shrimp sector 28 criminal acts were committedOf that number, 13 were at river level and 15 were on land in Guayas and El Oro.

In those events, 22 people were injured, and the damage amounted to half a million dollars.

They also commented that they invest about $70 million annually to install equipment, video surveillance cameras, private security guards on rotating shifts and communication systems, among other things.