Ecuador's shrimp industry is calling for private security companies to be allowed to use automatic weapons and rifles to try to stem a tide of violence that has left two dead and 45 injured in attacks on shrimp industry workers, boats and vehicles so far this year.
The 62 incidents this year, including one kidnapping, recorded by Aug. 30 by the Camara Nacional de Acuacultura (CNA) do not tell the whole story because some crimes are unreported for fear of reprisals, the shrimp producers trade body says.
