The city’s mayor Jaime Pumarejo unveiled the 6.5m sculpture in a park along the banks of the Magdalena River on Tuesday in the company of the singer’s parents.

The statue by artist Yino Marquez “shows millions of girls that they can, that they can pursue their dreams and any of them can achieve what they want”, said Pumarejo, noting that he used to see Shakira sing at local children’s concerts.

The sculpture shows the long, curly-haired singer belly dancing with her arms overhead, in a sheer skirt with shiny aluminum decoration.

A plaque praises the singer, who won three 2023 Latin Grammy Awards, and cites her charity “Pies descalzos”, Spanish for “bare feet,” for early childhood development.

“A heart that composes, hips that do not lie, an unmatched talent, a voice that moves masses and feet that march for the good of children and humanity,” it reads.

Shakira, who lives in Miami, said in a statement from the mayor’s office that she was honoured by the statue and that Barranquilla will always be her home.

Last month, the pop star reached a settlement with prosecutors to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges she failed to pay €14.5 million (RM74 million) in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014.