Shakira medical record leak sparks Peru investigation

Peruvian authorities announced potential sanctions and hefty fines on Tuesday as they investigated the leak of popstar Shakira's medical records following her treatment at a Lima clinic. The Colombian singer-songwriter, a four-time Grammy winner, was admitted to the emergency room on Saturday due to an abdominal issue, which forced her to cancel a major concert scheduled for Sunday.

Shortly after her hospitalization, her medical report surfaced on social media, igniting widespread outrage among her fans and prompting an official investigation. A spokesperson for Peru's national health service oversight body informed AFP that inquiries were in progress and that the clinic could face fines of up to $430,000.

"On Monday, we visited the clinic and met with officials who provided their confidential explanation," said spokesperson Ruby Cubas. The investigation is expected to span 25 days.

The Delgado clinic, where Shakira received care, stated that it is also conducting its own investigation into what it termed a "serious ethical breach" of its code of conduct and regulations regarding personal data handling. The clinic added, "We have already identified individuals responsible and have initiated the sanctioning process."

Shakira is currently on her first world tour in seven years, with nearly 50 performances planned across Latin America through June, followed by additional concerts in the United States and Canada. She expressed her gratitude to her "beautiful Peruvian audience" after performing in Lima on Monday night, stating, "Eternal thanks for all the love and care you've given me!"

Titled "Las mujeres ya no lloran" (Women Don't Cry Anymore), the tour commenced in Rio de Janeiro shortly after Shakira received a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album, which she dedicated to migrants in the U.S. facing deportation under President Donald Trump.

With over 90 million records sold globally and numerous awards to her name, Shakira is recognized as one of the most popular Latin artists in history. The ongoing investigation into her medical record leak highlights the importance of privacy and ethical standards in healthcare.