Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have begun their four-day tour of Colombia with a “massive security presence”, as the royal couple have sparked concerns of being used as “political pawns” by the country’s Vice President.
The Sussexes were warmly greeted by Francia Márquez as they arrived in the capital of Bogota, met with gifts and traditional dancers.
Journalist Nick Pisa, who is accompanying the duke and duchess on their tour, revealed that the couple have a security convoy of “up to 15 cars”, and Márquez has become “subject to death threats” from Colombians.
Speaking to GB News, Pisa claimed that Márquez is a “controversial” figure and the visit from the Sussexes could be being used as a “distraction” from wider issues in the country.
Harry and Meghan have arrived in Colombia for their four-day tour, escorted by a 14 car convoy
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Pisa told host Patrick Christys: “We’ve seen 14 car and police van convoys carrying the Sussexes through the streets of Bogota since they arrived this morning and have been on four engagements.
“There’s a bit of controversy with the vice president over the fact that she seems to travel everywhere by helicopter, but we should say she has been subjected to several death threats and also several attempted assassinations.”
Detailing the most recent attempt on Márquez, Pisa said that two months ago, her father and nephew’s car was targeted, but both of them “escaped unhurt”.
Comparing the security concerns in Colombia to Harry and Meghan’s security woes in the UK, host Patrick Christys said this trip “raises serious questions”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to visit the South American country by Vice President Francia Márquez
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Patrick explained: “It does raise serious questions about why Harry thinks that Great Britain might be a little bit too unsafe for him, but he’s happy to stand next to someone who has, unfortunately, quite literally got a target on her back.”
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When asked by Patrick what the meaning of the latest trip for the Sussexes is, Pisa told GB News that there “isn’t much interest” in Colombia for the Royal Family.
Pisa said: “There hasn’t been that much interest from the ordinary Colombians that I’ve managed to speak to in the street. A lot of them know who they are, but they’re just wondering what on earth they are going to do here.
“Harry and Meghan’s agenda is to promote cyberbullying and highlight women’s empowerment, and also look at the country’s heritage and history.”
Sharing more details of the security arrangements for the duke and duchess, Pisa claimed that “streets have been closed off” around the venues that the royal couple have been visiting.
Nick Pisa says concerns have been raised over the possible ‘distraction’ of Meghan and Harry’s tour in Colombia
GB News
Pisa added: “They’ve closed off the streets surrounding the school that they visited, and they closed off the streets surrounding the cultural centre that they visited earlier today as well.
“And there is, as I say, a 15 car convoy that is following them around. There’s also armed soldiers with them as well. The security is quite immense.”
He continued: “There are concerns from the Colombians that maybe this is distracting from other more serious events domestically as well.
“And I think also what we have to focus on, not only is that security on them, but also because there have been these death threats to the vice president.”