MEXICO CITY: Colombian pop star Shakira drew thousands of fans to an appearance in Mexico City to promote her new album, ‘Fijacion Oral Vol 1.’ The slender, golden-tressed singer signed autographs and greeted fans Thursday who had waited hours to see her, braving rain and long lines. “You don’t know how much this means to me. I didn’t expect to see so many of you here,” the 28-year-old performer told the crowd. Those who didn’t get Shakira’s autograph were given posters, the government news agency Notimex reported. Released last week, ‘Fijacion Oral (Oral Fixation)’ is Shakira’s first album in Spanish since 1998’s ‘Donde Los Ladrones? (Where Are the Thieves?).’ Since starting as a teen, Shakira has built her career on her sultry voice, rock-tinged anthems and belly gyrations. She has recorded in English since 2001’s ‘Laundry Service,’ which sold more than 3 million copies in the United States. Shakira’s latest project has two parts: the new Spanish-language album, followed by ‘Oral Fixation Vol. 2,’ an all-English album of new songs to be released in November. — Agencies