The surprising reason why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be targeted in Colombia

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be targeted by Colombian drug cartels or far-left terrorists looking to embarrass the country's government, a former royal protection officer has said.

Harry and Meghan announced on Thursday (August 1) they will visit Colombia for another royal tour at the end of the summer. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex accepted an invitation from the Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez, to visit the capital, Bogotá as well as Cartagena and Cali.

Their visit comes after a three-day trip to Nigeria in May which raised questions about the security challenges, with that debate reignited by their next overseas trip.

Security expert Simon Morgan, a former royal protection officer with the Metropolitan Police, told Express.co.uk Colombia presents a number of risks to the pair - including the surprising reason why they might be key targets.

He said: "They're in good standing because they've been invited by the (Colombian) government. There would be damage to their international reputation if something happened. They will put in as much mitigation (against security risks) as they can in a layered security process: vetting people in areas the Sussexes will visit, providing armoured cars I would imagine to be a definite. They would also consider security from the air as well."

He added: "Their itinerary will be published in advance so you lose an element of surprise - so there will be a need to improve mitigation and contingencies."

Mr Morgan warned: "It would be a major coup if a cartel did something to destabilise or cause embarrassment to the Colombian government. It would be extremely embarrassing... From a Colombian perspective, they already live with a heightened level of security. That would have to be increased."

Despite a landmark peace agreement struck between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016, many armed groups remain active throughout the country, according to the Foreign Office.

The US State Department urges travellers to reconsider travel to Colombia over crime and terror risks. It warns of civil unrest and kidnapping, with an increased risk in some areas, including the Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime and kidnapping.

Murder, assault and armed robbery is described by the State Department as widespread, with organised crime gangs threatening extortion, robbery and kidnapping.

Mr Morgan said: "Colombia is a beautiful, but also an extremely brutal and complex environment from a security perspective because of not just the drug cartels in and around the country, but also far-left terrorism.

"Certainly in the border regions, kidnapping, murder and exploitation are common currency, even in the capital, Bogotá."

The security expert, who served the Royal Family for seven years, explained that to the best of his knowledge Colombia's drug cartels are not known to currently pose a specific threat to the UK Government or British dignitaries outside of the war on drugs, which is led by the United States.

The UK Foreign Office warns travellers that terrorists are "very likely" to try and carry out attacks in Colombia, noting there is a "high" threat to British interests and nationals.

Mr Morgan, who is now Director of Operations and Training at security firm Trojan Consultancy, explained that because Harry and Meghan have been invited by the Colombian government, "everything" Colomobia has to offer by way of security will be put into effect for their visit.

He warned those charged with planning the couple's security will have on their minds the fact that some members of the South American country's law enforcement agencies and military have worked for both the Colombian government and drug cartels in the past.

Asked if he would have recommended the Sussexes visit Colombia, Mr Morgan said: "It's a difficult one when you're not privy to their process.

"I would think, let's have a really good look at this to see if we can create a safe and secure environment and not just take the limited knowledge we have about Colombia. You then have to ensure the right security package is put together."