Mexican actress and singer Dulce Maria wants the U.S. to stop using animals at the circus, according to a PETA press release.

After the announcement that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circuses will stop bringing animals to their shows in 2018, the actress wants the U.S. circus companies to follow Mexico's lead and stop performing with animals now.

A video posted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Latino shows Dulce Maria asking her fans to stop going to any circus that uses wild animals in their shows.

"Imagine living most of your life in a basement or a cramped railroad boxcar," Ducle Maria said in the video. "Imagine being under the constant threat of being hit with a bullhook -- a sharp metal weapon used by circus trainers to beat elephants into submission."

The former RBD singer explains that elephants used in circuses are chained and forced to perform in front of crowds. Additionally, baby elephants are taken from their parents shortly after their birth.

"When you buy a ticket to a circus that uses animals, that's what you're supporting," Dulce Maria said.

Ducle Maria says she is proud of her home country for banning animals in circuses. Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru have similar bans.

"I'm proud of my native country, Mexico, for recently taking the steps necessary to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Now it's time for other countries to follow in Mexico's footsteps," she said.

"And if you care about animals, please help them by never going to the circus," she concluded.

Dulce Maria is one of several celebrities that have joined PETA Latino. Other celebrities that have pledged their support to PETA Latino include Kate del Castillo, Constance Marie, Wilmer Valderrama, Carla Morrison, Ruben Albarran, Marco Antonio Regil and Pablo Azar.

What do you think of Maria's statements? Should elephants and other animals be banned from the circus? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think.