# Security concerns and parliamentary discipline in Ceuta > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/security-concerns-and-border-crisis-in-ceuta > Updated: 2026-09-25T12:52:19.000Z. Sources: 53. Developments: 3. Heightened security concerns and an ongoing border crisis in Ceuta have led to a significant surge in demand for personal defense products. Local armories reported shortages and waiting lists, with sales of approved pepper sprays increasing by more than 50% in August. This demand includes residents, healthcare workers, and security forces. The security situation in Ceuta became a point of political contention in the Spanish Congress of Deputies. During a session questioning Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska about the migration crisis, Member of Parliament Ana Belén Vázquez, representing the Popular Party (PP), was expelled from the chamber after displaying a pepper spray canister. Vázquez argued that women and children in the autonomous city rely on such tools for protection, but Speaker Francina Armengol ordered the expulsion under Article 101 of the parliamentary regulations, which prohibits the display of weapons. The Speaker classified the spray as a weapon according to official registries, while Vázquez maintained the canister was empty and intended as a symbolic gesture. The incident escalated when a PP advisor attempted to clean the canister in a bathroom, causing gas to disperse throughout the building. This led to the cordoning off of several areas, including three bathrooms and a cafeteria. Approximately twelve people required medical attention for irritation or respiratory issues, including a member of a Mauritanian diplomatic delegation and a cafeteria worker who subsequently went on medical leave. The Spanish Congress is now set to open formal disciplinary proceedings against Vázquez. The Mesa of the Congress, which holds a progressive majority of PSOE and Sumar members, is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, September 30, to discuss potential sanctions under Article 101. Penalties may range from a formal warning to a temporary suspension of her status as a deputy. ## Claims - A Popular Party advisor discharged the remaining contents of the spray in a bathroom, causing gas to spread through the building. (disputed by 10 sources) - Ana Vázquez claimed the pepper spray canister she displayed was empty. (disputed by 8 sources) - The Speaker of the Congress, Francina Armengol, ordered the expulsion of PP deputy Ana Vázquez from the chamber. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The pepper spray was displayed as a symbol to protest the insecurity faced by women and children in Ceuta following the migration crisis. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The Speaker classified the pepper spray as a weapon under Article 101 of the parliamentary regulations. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Twelve people required medical attention due to the pepper spray gas, including members of a Mauritanian diplomatic delegation. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Police cordoned off several areas of the Congress, including three bathrooms and a cafeteria, due to the gas dispersion. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Ana Belén Vázquez wielded a pepper spray canister in the Spanish Congress. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The pepper spray caused one worker to take medical leave and led to approximately ten other people receiving treatment for intoxication. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Ana Belén Vázquez claimed the pepper spray canister was empty. (corroborated by 3 sources) - In 1934, Indalecio Prieto brandished a pistol during a session in the Spanish Congress. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Ana Vázquez expressed her intention to appeal the decision and vowed to bring such items to Congress again to protest security issues. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-25: Spanish Congress to sanction deputy over pepper spray incident Spanish Congress will consider sanctions against PP deputy Ana Vázquez after she brought pepper spray into the chamber, an incident that led to several people being treated for intoxication. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-congress-to-sanction-deputy-for-displaying-pepper-spray ### 2026-09-23: Spanish MP Ana Vázquez expelled from Congress after displaying pepper spray Spanish MP Ana Belén Vázquez was expelled from Congress after displaying pepper spray to protest insecurity in Ceuta. The incident caused a gas leak in parliamentary bathrooms, affecting twelve people. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-congress-expels-deputy-ana-vzquez-for-displaying-pepper-spray ### 2026-09-04: Ceuta faces pepper spray shortages amid rising security concerns Ceuta is experiencing a shortage of pepper spray and self-defense tools as demand rises by over 50% due to security concerns and the ongoing border crisis. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ceuta-faces-pepper-spray-shortages-amid-rising-security-concerns --- Cite as: Security concerns and parliamentary discipline in Ceuta. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/security-concerns-and-border-crisis-in-ceuta