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Security for Harry and Meghan’s four day quasi royal tour of Colombia cost an eye watering eight billion pesos (£1.5 million) local media have claimed.
The £375,000 a day cost involved 3,000 police and soldiers, plus helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal units and an ever-present guard armed with a ballistic briefcase or bullet proof shield just in case of a sniper attack.
They were invited to the south American country – which is a no-go zone in parts according to the Foreign Commonweath and Development Office – by left wing vice president Francia Marquez – who has survived at least two attempts on her life.
But the security cost to a country facing huge socio-economic problems – a third live below the poverty line – has enraged many, including the security chief of the city of Cali council where the couple ended their tour on Sunday.
Writing on X under a report on the security cost by CW Noticias, Andres Escobar, said: ‘Billions that could have been used to expand coverage of children’s canteens, pay salaries of community mothers, seed capital for Afro communities or adapt sports venues practically in ruins.’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are protected by a security guard with a ‘balistic briefcase’ as they visit Cartagena, Colombia on August 17
The security cost to a country facing huge socio-economic problems has enraged many, including the security chief of the city of Cali council where the couple ended their tour on Sunday (pictured)
The right wing official also accused Ms Marquez of ‘squandering public money on her vanity’ adding that ‘taxes were spent on rich white people for photo opportunities and social media’.
In the past she has been accused of ‘taking helicopters like taxis’ although she insists this is because of her own personal safety.
Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Escobar added: ‘The country paid almost two million US dollars for the security of this trip and there are many, many Colombians who are hungry and have a lack of basic needs.
‘They invested this money because the vice president wanted to meet two high profile public figures and brush aside criticism and problems that we have here through a corrupt government.
‘We are in an economic crisis and eight billion pesos have been spent for the visit of Harry and Meghan, Colombian military planes and helicopters have been used and the money could have been better spent.
‘Before this current government came to power they campaigned that they would save money and not waste it but they have done just the opposite with this visit.’
He also referenced Ms Marquez reason for inviting Harry and Meghan and said: ‘The vice president asked them here because she saw them on Netflix, can you believe that? How ridiculous, I can’t believe she said that.’
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, on Saturday, August 17
‘This country could have used the money to invest in our own infrastructure, we are in a bad way and money is wasted for this.’
While another councillor in the capital Bogota also lashed out at the trip beneath a social media post from Colombia’s leftist president Gustavo Petro praising the visit.
Right wing leaning Papo Amin asked if Petro had forgotten about ‘bombs and kidnaps’ that had hit several regions across Colombia, and a left-wing guerilla group who held part of the country in an eight-day siege.
The visit also took in the cities of Cartagena and Bogota, as well as brief stop in the village of San Basilio de Palenque, set up by freed African slaves almost 300 years ago.
Topics for the faux royal tour included online violence, cyber bulling, mind wellness in the digital age and female empowerment.
However, apart from one event, there was no access to British media with a lone Sussex approved reporter from women’s’ fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar providing fawning coverage.
Reporters who dared to focus on the security were warned not to do so as they could be ‘tipping off terrorists’ despite the presence of soldiers and police being visible to all and sundry.
They were invited to the country by left wing vice president Francia Marquez – who has survived at least two attempts on her life
While some who spoke to a teacher – after being invited in – following Harry and Meghan’s departure from a school were then kicked off a media WhatsApp group set up by the press office of the vice president.
And because of the massive security there were no walkabouts meeting people on the street as each venue was ringed by police and they were driven in and out at high speed in a 14 vehicle convoy.
It has led to more questions than answers, with the main one being what was the point of the trip.
Especially in terms of the security aspect, as Harry has been in a long running dispute with the Home Office over his protection in the UK.
When he stopped being a working royal his security was downgraded but he has brought a court case arguing that he needs it when he visits the country from his new US home.
However, the decision to visit Colombia and Nigeria – another off limits country – three months ago has raised eyebrows.
Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator for MailOnline, said the aim of the trip was to ‘boost the Sussexes international profile, especially since a ‘quasi-royal tour’ like this has currently no competitors when it comes to media coverage.’
He added: ‘However reports indicated that security was huge and the cost to the taxpayer must have been massive.
‘Colombia has a fascinating history, but it is notorious for being a violent society, including being afflicted by a civil war which has lasted decades.’
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