Prince Harry and Meghan's Colombia Visit Costs £1.5 Million

The security costs for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent four-day tour in Colombia have sparked outrage, totaling approximately £1.5 million (8 billion pesos). The deployment included 3,000 police and soldiers, helicopters, and bomb disposal units, drawing criticism from local officials amid the country's significant socio-economic challenges, where a third of the population lives below the poverty line. Andres Escobar, the security chief of Cali, condemned the spending as a waste of public resources that could instead support community initiatives. He accused Vice President Francia Márquez of prioritizing a 'vanity' project over pressing local needs, highlighting the contrast between the Sussexes' high-profile visit and the struggles faced by ordinary Colombians. The visit, which focused on issues like mental health and empowerment, has been labeled an example of the government's misallocation of funds during a crisis. Critics, including Escobar, argue that the money could have been better spent addressing urgent social issues rather than facilitating a tour for 'rich white people'.