A Colombian councilman has slammed the nation’s vice president after it was reported Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s quasi-royal tour cost $2.9 million.

Colombian councilman Andres Escobar has slammed the nation’s vice president as “wasteful” and “vain” after it was reported Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s quasi-royal tour cost an eye-watering eight billion pesos, which equivalent to $2.9 million (AUD).

Vice president Francia Marquez invited the Duke, 39 and Duchess of Sussex, 42, to the South American country where they spent four days to the tune of £375,000 per day, roughly $724,276 (AUD), according to local media.

The expenses reportedly went towards heavily armed police and soldiers, helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal units and a 24/7-armed guard equipped with a bullet proof shield in the event of a sniper attack against the couple.

Prince Harry Meghan Markle are seen at the Afro Women and Power Forum at the Municipal Theater of Calid during a visit to Colombia. Picture: Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images

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Mr Escobar, councilman of the city of Cali, on Wednesday took to X to join the chorus of critics enraged over the security costs in a country facing socio-economic pressures with a third living below the poverty line.

He claimed Ms Marquez was “squandering public money on her vanity”, accusing her and the government of “waste and indifference” to the needs of the country.

“Taxes were spent on rich white people for photo opportunities and social media,” 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.”

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Escobar said: “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 vice president asked them here because she saw them on Netflix, can you believe that? How ridiculous, I can’t believe she said that.”

Meghan Markle speaks during a forum on Afro women and power in Cali, Colombia. Picture: AP/ Ivan Valencia
Bogota city councillor Papo Amin weighed in, directing aim at Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro after the leader praised the couple’s visit.

Mr Petro posted a video on X of Meghan headlining an Afro Women and Power talk in Cali alongside Ms Marquez while a beaming Duke of Sussex sat in the audience.

“The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan; what she has felt from Colombia and from her visit to Afro-descendant communities is community,” he wrote in the caption.

Mr Amin took to the comments section to question if the President was aware of other issues in the country.

“Did they tell you about the armed strike that just took place in Chocó? Did they tell you about the bombs in Cauca?” he asked.

Meghan and Harry have finished a four day tour of Colombia. Picture: Diego Cuevas/Getty Images
Harry and Meghan appeared to not only divide leaders in the nation but also placed a big wedge between the wider community.

One local, among many who blasted the government on X, wrote: “Instead of worrying about the economy that affects everyone, they are worried about bowing to the English nobility.”

In May, Harry and Meghan were also criticised for accepting an innovation Nigeria, with security costs largely shouldered by the developing nation’s cash-strapped government.

The copped flack for accepting free plane travel to the country on an airline owned by an international fugitive who was indicted by the US Department of Justice on fraud and money laundering charges.

Ironically, Harry told a hearing at London’s High Court in December that personal safety concerns for his family were preventing visits back to Britain.

The Duke is currently suing the British Home Office after the government opted to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their taxpayer-funded private security because the couple are no longer working royals.

Harry argued he should still receive a degree of taxpayer-funded protection when he visits the United Kingdom despite living in California and carrying out no duties on behalf of the King or the British government.