Families of two Spanish nationals imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea are calling on Pope Leo XIV to suspend his upcoming visit to the country if their relatives are not released. The two workers, David Rodríguez Ballesta and Javier Marañón, have been detained for 14 months in the notorious Black Beach prison, following allegations of deficiencies related to a digital television installation project for their company. The families believe that their plea to the Pope could leverage his visit as a diplomatic opportunity to address their situation, given that the Spanish monarchy has also been contacted to advocate for the prisoners' release.

The correspondence sent to both the Spanish royal palace and the Nunciature Apostolic highlights the desperate circumstances surrounding the imprisonment. Rodríguez Ballesta, a 45-year-old technical video supervisor from Granada, and Marañón, a 51-year-old accountant from Córdoba, were taken into custody in January 2025, a move perceived as retribution by the Equatorial Guinean government. Their families are hoping that high-level intervention will influence President Teodoro Obiang to reconsider the status of the detained workers and secure their release.

This situation underscores the ongoing human rights concerns in Equatorial Guinea, where political repression and arbitrary detentions are common. The families' plea not only reflects their personal anguish but also draws attention to the broader implications of international relations influenced by the welfare of individuals subject to foreign policy disputes. As the Pope’s visit looms, the stakes heighten, with advocates for freedom looking to leverage every possible avenue for intervention.