
A city has unveiled a nearly 24ft-tall statue of one of its most famous daughters.
The sculpture was inaugurated on the riverfront promenade of the Colombian city of Barranquilla on July 1, the actress’s 53rd birthday.
The enormous tribute to the Hollywood star stands at 7.5metres (24′ 7′) tall and weighs a whopping 5.5 tonnes (865 st).
The bronze likeness was created by renowned sculptor Yino Marquez, who spent seven months working on it in his workshop.
He was assisted by six young students and graduates of a local art school.
The unveiling ceremony was led by the Colombian city’s mayor, Alejandro Char.
He told the assembled crowd: ‘Barranquilla is at your feet. Thank you for being who you are, thank you for being proudly Barranquillera.

The sculpture was inaugurated on the city’s riverfront promenade on July 1, the actress’s 53rd birthday

The enormous tribute to the Hollywood star stands at 7.5metres (24′ 7′) tall and weighs a whopping 5.5 tonnes (865 st)
Char said of Sofia Vergara, who the statue was modelled after: ‘She’s never stopped being one of us – she never changed her accent.
‘She’s always stayed true to herself: her spirit, her joy, her determination. And look where it’s taken her – so far.’
Marquez also created Barranquilla’s Shakira statue, which was unveiled on 26 December 2023.
It stands on the same promenade, is also made of bronze, but is a metre shorter than his latest piece.
The Shakira statue went viral at the time for a spelling mistake on the plaque.
It read: ‘Made by artist Yino MArques in the La Paz neighbourhood with the support of students and graduates of the District School of Arts.’
The sculptor’s name – this time spelt correctly – appeared below it.
Local man David asked at the time: ‘Can someone please explain whether the artist’s last name is with an S or a Z?

Sofia Vergara slipped into a skimpy white string bikini that made the most of her slender frame during her 53rd birthday on Thursday

The Colombia femme fatale was still on vacation in Europe with her pals when she celebrated another trip around the sun. Seen earlier this week on a yacht
‘This kind of mistake really annoys me. I appreciate the tribute, but this detracts a lot.’
Sofia – who lives in a Tuscan-style mansion in Beverly Park, Los Angeles, USA – had not commented on Marquez’s latest piece at the time of writing.
Yesterday, Vergara slipped into a skimpy white string bikini that made the most of her slender frame during her 53rd birthday.
The Colombia femme fatale was still on vacation in Europe with her pals when she celebrated another trip around the sun.
The Modern Family veteran who has a massive sweet tooth was seen looking at her delicious white and red birthday cake before taking in the stacks of smaller treats.
And she posed with her loved ones while in a back yard.
This came after the brunette bombshell had a flirt session with Tom Brady, though the jury is still out on whether they are more than just friends.
Also on Thursday, Sofia shared a note from entrepreneur Doug Chabbott, whom she has been romantically linked with in recent months.
The post saw the two of them together as he wrote ‘happy birthday’ over the snapshot.
While in Rome this year they cuddled, and they were photographed dancing together and putting their arms around each other in Cannes.

This comes after the brunette bombshell had a flirt session with Tom Brad , though the jury is still out on whether they are more than just friends

Also on Thursday, Sofia shared a note from entrepreneur Doug Chabbott, whom she has been romantically linked with in recent months
And they were spotted attending the Monaco F1 event together, further fueling speculation their are an item.
Brady does not seem to be a romantic prospect for the long term.
On Thursday sources told DailyMail.com that 47-year-old Tom finds the Latin looker ‘too old’ for him.
She is six years his senior.