Colombian security chief hits out at Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s costs amid socio-economic crisis

A security official in Colombia has hit out at the exorbitant cost of providing safety for the Sussexes during their “faux royal” tour of the country.

A security chief in Colombia has hit out at the exorbitant costs of hosting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as the country grapples with socio-economic issues.

Andres Escobar, a member of council for the Colombian city of Cali, where the Duke and Sussex visited Sunday, posted several frustrated statements on his verified X account, amid reports the government forked out $AU2.9 million in security fees for the couple’s four-day visit.

Harry, 39, and Meghan, 43, whose UK security team was stripped after they stepped down as senior royals in 2020, were invited to visit the South American country by Vice President Francia Marquez this past week, in what marked their second “faux royal tour” after the couple spent three days in Nigeria, West Africa, in May.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are seen in the streets of San Basilio de Palenque during a visit in Cartagena, Colombia. Picture: Vizzor Image/Getty Images

Host countries welcoming royals traditionally provide security for those visiting. However, given the Sussexes are no longer representing the palace, their tours have raised eyebrows among royal commentators, and reportedly, senior members of the royal family.

Escobar, who is described as conservative in comparison to Ms Marquez’s left-leaning values, hit out at the government for spending taxpayer dollars on Harry and Meghan’s stay, particularly amid widespread poverty concerns.

“We continue with an ancestral practice: handing over our resources in exchange for smoke and mirrors. 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 that are practically in ruins,” Escobar wrote, adding Ms Marquez “prefers to continue squandering public money on her vanity. Spending our taxes on “rich white people” for the photo and the social chronicle. Unmeasured social climbing.”

Colombian marines patrol during security operations amid the Sussexes visit. Picture: Raul ARBOLEDA/AFP

Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Francia Maquez and her husband Yerney Pinillo. Picture: Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images

According to local media, security measures for the pair’s visit included 3000 police officers and soldiers, helicopters, detection dogs, bomb disposal units and a specialised guard armed with a bulletproof shield in the event of a sniper attack.

Speaking in a follow-up interview with MailOnline, Escobar said Colombia was in “economic crisis”.

“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,” Escobar continued.

“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.

“The money could have been better spent.”

Harry and Meghan ventured to Colombia as part of their efforts to support projects aimed at protecting young people from online harm and help promote local arts and culture.

They visited three cities, beginning in Bogotá, before moving on to Cartagena and then finishing up in Cali at the weekend.

Ahead of the tour, Ms Márquez revealed she’d been inspired to invite the Sussexes to Colombia after watching their controversial 2022 Netflix documentary series.

“I learned their story through Netflix and I was moved by it. Meghan is a woman who deserves to come to the country and tell her story,” Ms Márquez told journalists.

“Last year we held a meeting on July 25, the day of Afro-descendant women. We wanted to invite Meghan, an Afro-descendant woman, to that meeting so she could share her experiences.

“We sent her a letter inviting her, and she replied saying that she couldn’t come, but that she really wanted to get to know the country.

“Since then, we have been working for a year for this visit.”

Originally published as Colombian security chief hits out at Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s costs amid socio-economic crisis