Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has opened a military air base which was at the centre of a failed coup in 2002 for a concert by Latin pop star Shakira.
The Colombian singer, 29, had not been able to find a venue in the country, Mr Chavez revealed in a televised speech.
He decided to open the La Carlota base in Caracas after receiving a letter from Shakira's promoters.
Mr Chavez also joked that he wanted to attend the concert. "Maybe I'll put on a wig and go see Shakira," he said.
The La Carlota air force base has been reserved for military use since 2002's attempted coup, which saw Mr Chavez temporarily forced out of power.
Hundreds of Venezuelans surrounded the base hoping to see the former president leaving the country.
But he was reinstated within 48 hours after a post-coup government collapsed in the face of a rebellion by loyalist troops and massive protests.
Latin success
Shakira swept the board at this month's Latin Grammy Awards, picking up four of the five prizes she was nominated for.
The hip-shaking pop star's Fijacion Oral Vol 1 won best album and best female pop vocal album. The single La Tortura won the award for song and record of the year.
She has been a recording artist in Latin America since she was 15, and crossed over to the English-language market with her Laundry Service album in 2001.
Earlier this year, her collaboration with Wyclef Jean, Hips Don't Lie, spent 16 weeks in the UK top ten - including five weeks at number one.
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