Shakira: Chavez's guitar among 6 signed in Caracas (AP)

BOGOTA, Colombia – The Colombian singer Shakira says she learned after the fact that one of six guitars she signed at a concert in Venezuela made its way to President Hugo Chavez.

Chavez had thanked Shakira for the red guitar over the weekend, suggesting he believed it was a gift.

But Shakira's press office says in a statement that during her March concert, the artist "signed 6 guitars at the request of the event's organizers." It added she learned Monday that "one of them was sent to the President's office."

Shakira's office says it hopes "acts like this contribute to continue uniting the citizens" of Colombia and Venezuela.

Information Minister Andres Izarra had said the guitar had been sent by "the people who organized her concert."

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Shakira: Chavez's guitar among 6 signed in Caracas (AP)

BOGOTA, Colombia – The Colombian singer Shakira says she learned after the fact that one of six guitars she signed at a concert in Venezuela made its way to President Hugo Chavez.

Chavez had thanked Shakira for the red guitar over the weekend, suggesting he believed it was a gift.

But Shakira's press office says in a statement that during her March concert, the artist "signed 6 guitars at the request of the event's organizers." It added she learned Monday that "one of them was sent to the President's office."

Shakira's office says it hopes "acts like this contribute to continue uniting the citizens" of Colombia and Venezuela.

Information Minister Andres Izarra had said the guitar had been sent by "the people who organized her concert."

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Shakira gives Venezuela's Chavez signed, red guitar (Reuters)

CARACAS (Reuters) – Colombian pop star Shakira has given Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez an autographed electric guitar that is painted red, the color of the leader's socialist political movement.

The Grammy award winner and songwriter sent him the instrument after visiting the South American country in March, Chavez said on Sunday and thanked her for the gift.

"I was practicing last night, looking for the plugs. It's electric, a very modern guitar and I'm not used to it," Chavez said during a phone call to a state TV station. "I was singing some songs, old ones, a Mexican one."

Known for his informal style, Chavez often belts out Latin American folk songs during political rallies and speeches.

"How am I going to practice 'Waka-Waka' with this swollen foot?" Chavez asked when an official suggested he sing Shakira's hit song for last year's World Cup. He ended the call singing a bolero, a slow Latin American song.

Chavez is currently recovering from a knee injury and canceled visits to several countries this week. He said the injury was improving.

(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Eric Beech)

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