Montaner asks to regularize Venezuelans in the Dominican Republic

Repatriate at least 200 Venezuelans from the Dominican Republic 3:15

(CNN Spanish) -

Venezuelan singer-songwriter Ricardo Montaner asked the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, to regularize the legal status of thousands of Venezuelans who emigrated to the Caribbean country as a result of the political and social crisis of the South American nation.

Abinader promised to help Venezuelans and thus regularize their status in the country, government spokeswoman Milagros Germán reported.

"He told me that he will soon make an announcement that will restore peace to Venezuelans," said Montaner.

• Ricardo Montaner celebrates his platinum record for "Ida y Vuelta" with Zona Pop

Venezuelan singer-songwriter Ricardo Montaner during the launch of his album "Ida y Vuelta" in Mexico City, on October 31, 2016. (Credit: ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP via Getty Images)

The singer, who met with Abinader on Monday at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, said he was surprised by the positive response from the president.

It is estimated that at least 30,000 Venezuelans settled in the Dominican Republic, and that 97% of them have done so irregularly, according to figures from the Movement of Venezuelans Living in the Dominican Republic (Moverd).

Since at least 2016, about 5 million Venezuelans have left their country, according to the United Nations Agency for Refugees.

On the other hand, the Venezuelan artist reported that he spoke with Abinader about his initiative to build a school in the municipality of Arroyo Barril, Samaná, northeast of the island.

Montaner explained that it is a model of an ecological school that would benefit about 100 low-income children in the area.

Venezuelan immigrants