MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry are being "manipulated" by the Colombian government, a top lawyer has blasted. The prominent lawyer in the Colombian capital Bogota said the vice-president hosting the couple has been hit by a string of scandals. 3 Harry and Meghan will tour Colombia Credit: AP 3 But a lawyer in the country's capital Bogota said they are being 'manipulated' Credit: Getty 3 Harry and Meghan are set to jet off to Colombia today before touring Bogota and the coastal regions of Cartagena and Cali.
The pair were invited to the Latin American country by its Vice President Francia Márquez. A prominent Bogota lawyer told the Mail : "I'm sure Meghan and Harry mean well. "But everyone here is talking about how obviously they are being manipulated.
Read More Royals JUMP SHIP 'Real reason' Harry’s chief of staff quit days before Colombia trip revealed FUTURE QUEEN Meet Princess Ingrid Alexandra, second in line to the Norway throne "Of course, their star-power will be used to bring attention to poor people and certain areas of culture in Colombia. "But the reality is the Colombian government has been drowning in scandal since it came in two years ago. "They need something to appease people at home and make them look good abroad.
" The Sussexes' representatives have been contacted for comment. Most read in Royals AT THE DOUBLE McCowan could follow Belgian starlet Engels to Celtic in stunning double move FAN BAN Rangers respond after latest twist Old Firm away fan lockout row with Celtic FIND HER Cops launch frantic search for missing Scots schoolgirl, 14, not seen in five days LOCKED OUT Celtic v Rangers lockout continues with NO away fans at next two derbies Colombia's left-wing government has recently faced opposition in Congress and on the streets over its social reforms. President Gustavo Petro's approval rate has been stuck at 34% for months.
Petro has sacked centrist figures in his cabinet who opposed his expensive pension and healthcare plans. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in April to protest the reforms and Congress blocked the bill. Tax collection has in fact slumped and in June Colombia's finance minister blocked spending on new projects, The Economist reports.
Violence and corruption are also on the uptick - with shootings and kidnappings a common occurrence in the country's south. Colombia's former disaster-response chief and a number of officials face a bribery probe over pork-barrel spending in the poor region of La Guajira. Previously, Francia Marquez said: "I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country.
"The Duke and Duchess will join me in visiting Bogotá, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali. "In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress." Francia Márquez added: "Their visit comes at a particularly significant time.
"It precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Colombia this November. "The Archewell Foundation, founded by The Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment. "The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces.
"It will tackle issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats. "It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world." It comes after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's chief of staff quit days before the couple's Colombia trip.
Josh Kettler has left his role as the couple's fixer after only three months. Veteran PR supremo Kettler had reportedly been brought in to "guide Harry through his next phase". Kettler was hired on a trial basis and left by mutual consent after both sides agreed he wasn't right for the job, People reports.
But it's understood Kettler's departure is not related to the upcoming trip. Kettler joined Harry on his recent visit to London to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games. He was pictured entering St Paul's Cathedral with the Duke for the ceremony.
Kettler was also a key figure on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's three-day "tour" of Nigeria. Last month, Prince Harry's charity chief Dominic Reid quit his role as chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation. Read more on the Scottish Sun NEW LOOK Andy Murray looks unrecognisable as he shares bizarre new retirement routine SPLIT SIGNS Four clues Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague had split in secret Reid's resignation came just days after Harry was blasted for choosing to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service .
The duke thanked Reid for his "dedication and leadership" in a heartfelt note after his resignation..
