Shakira postpones tour due to vocal cord hemorrhage

Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Shakira is postponing her European tour due to lingering complications from a vocal chord hemorrhage.

The 40-year-old Columbian singer canceled the remaining 2017 dates on her El Dorado tour Tuesday as she continues to recover from the "nightmare" health issue.

Shakira explained in a lengthy post on Twitter that she "suffered a hemorrhage" on her right vocal chord in October. She went on vocal rest "in an attempt to recover" and kick off her tour as planned in Cologne, Germany.

"Unfortunately the hemorrhage doesn't appear to have reabsorbed and my nightmare continues," Shakira wrote. "At the moment I find myself in a difficult battle as I try to fully recover."

"In all the years I've been singing, I've never been faced with a situation like this," she confessed. "As such, and with a heavy heart, I must announce that I find myself obliged to postpone my European tour until 2018, to allow my body several necessary weeks, dedicated to my complete recovery."

"Thanks for my fans throughout the world for their understanding and loyalty," the star added. "I hope to overcome this difficult trial and to return to the stage as soon as possible, to once again hear your voices singing along with mine."

Shakira was to begin her El Dorado tour this month in Cologne, and perform throughout Europe before kicking off the North American leg of the tour in January. The venture is in support of her 11th album, El Dorado, which debuted in May.