Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's security 'cost poverty-hit Colombia £1.5million'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to the South American country by Vice President Francia Marquez.

However, Colombia is currently facing huge socio-economic problems.

A third of the population lives below the poverty line, and the Sussexes' security costs for their tour riled the security chief of the city of Cali council, Andres Escobar, where the couple ended their tour on Sunday.

Escobar took to social media to complain about the security costs.

He 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."

The conservative official also accused 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, Marquez has been accused of "taking helicopters like taxis", although she insists this is for protection purposes.

Speaking to The Mail, Escobar said: "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.

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"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."

Escobar added: "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. 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."

Due to the massive security measures, Meghan and Harry did not take part in any royal walkabouts meeting people on the street.

This was because each venue was ringed by police and they were driven in and out at high speed in a 14-vehicle convoy.