Security for Harry and Meghan’s four-day quasi-royal tour of Colombia cost an exorbitant eight billion pesos (£1.5m), 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 bulletproof case or a bulletproof shield in case of a sniper attack.
They were invited to the South American country – which is a no-go zone in some parts according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – by leftist vice president Francia Marquez, who has survived at least two assassination attempts.
But the cost of security for a country facing huge socioeconomic problems – a third live below the poverty line – has angered many, including the security chief of the city council of Cali, where the couple ended their tour on Sunday.
Writing in X under a report on the cost of security for CW Noticias, Andrés Escobar said: ‘Billions that could have been used to expand coverage of children’s canteens, pay salaries to community mothers, seed capital for Afro communities or adapt sports venues that are practically in ruins.’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are protected by a security guard with a ‘ballistic briefcase’ as they visit Cartagena, Colombia, on August 17
The cost of security for a country facing huge socio-economic problems has angered many, including the head of security for the city council of Cali, where the couple ended their tour on Sunday (pictured)
The right-wing official also accused Marquez of “wasting public money on his vanity” and added that “taxes were spent on rich white people for photo opportunities and on social media.”
She has been accused in the past of “taking helicopters as taxis”, although she insists she does it for her own personal safety.
Speaking to MailOnline, Escobar added: “The country paid almost two million dollars for the security of this trip and there are many, many Colombians who are hungry and lack basic needs.
‘They invested that money because the vice president wanted to meet with two high-profile public figures and put aside the criticism and problems we have here due to a corrupt government.
‘We are in an economic crisis and eight billion pesos have been spent for Harry and Meghan’s visit, Colombian military planes and helicopters have been used and the money could have been spent better.
‘Before the current government came to power, they campaigned saying they would save money and not waste it, but with this visit they have done exactly the opposite.’
He also referred to the reason why Marquez invited Harry and Meghan, saying: “The vice president invited them 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 17 August
“This country could have used the money to invest in our own infrastructure, we are in a bad situation and money is being wasted on this.”
While another city councillor from the capital, Bogotá, also criticised the trip under a social media post by Colombia’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, praising the visit.
Right-wing politician Papo Amin asked whether Petro had forgotten about the “bombs and kidnappings” that had hit several regions of Colombia and about a left-wing guerrilla group that had kept part of the country under siege for eight days.
The visit also included the cities of Cartagena and Bogotá, as well as a brief stop in the town of San Basilio de Palenque, founded by freed African slaves almost 300 years ago.
Themes of the faux royal tour included online violence, cyberbullying, mental wellbeing in the digital age and female empowerment.
However, with the exception of one event, there was no access to the British media and only a Sussex-approved reporter from the women’s fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar provided fawning coverage.
Journalists who dared to focus on security were warned not to do so because they might be “warning terrorists” even though the presence of soldiers and police was visible to all.
They were invited to the country by leftist vice president Francia Márquez, who has survived at least two assassination attempts.
While some who spoke to a teacher, after being invited, following Harry and Meghan’s departure from a school were banned from a WhatsApp media group set up by the vice president’s press office.
And because of the massive security, there were no people crossing the street because every place was surrounded by police and they were coming and going at high speed in a convoy of 14 vehicles.
It has raised more questions than answers, the main one being what the purpose of the trip was.
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 she stopped being a working royal, her security was reduced, but she filed a lawsuit arguing she needs it when visiting the country from her new home in the United States.
However, the decision to visit Colombia and Nigeria – another banned country – three months ago has raised doubts.
MailOnline royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the aim of the trip was to “boost the Sussexes’ international profile, especially as a ‘quasi-royal tour’ such as this is currently unrivalled 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 is known for being a violent society, even plagued by a decades-long civil war.’