PINECREST, Fla. (VINnews) – A Cuban-American-owned bakery in South Florida has faced a wave of online criticism after hosting House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and congressional candidate Eliott Rodriguez, sparking a political dispute over socialism, Cuban-American identity and the role of small businesses in election campaigns.

Cao Bakery & Cafe in Pinecrest became the target of angry social media comments and negative online reviews after conservative influencer Josue Alvarez posted a video criticizing the business for welcoming the Democratic politicians during a campaign stop on Friday, Oct. 16.

Alvarez questioned whether the bakery’s owners, descendants of Cuban immigrants who fled communism, should host Democratic politicians whose party includes democratic socialists. His video attracted more than 180,000 views and thousands of comments, according to the Miami Herald.

Yvette Cao, the bakery’s partner and chief marketing officer, said Rodriguez’s campaign contacted her before the visit to ask whether the politicians could stop by with members of the press. She agreed, explaining that the business supports a free and democratic Cuba and opposes communism.

Cao stressed that hosting the politicians did not constitute an endorsement of Rodriguez. She said the business was nonpartisan and believed both Rodriguez and Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar were concerned about the rising cost of living in Miami.

Following the backlash, Cao issued a public statement reaffirming the business’s opposition to socialism and support for a free Cuba. The statement also drew substantial support from social media users who defended the bakery.

Rodriguez, who is challenging Salazar in Florida’s 27th Congressional District, accused his Republican opponent of contributing to the backlash against the business.

He described the online campaign as an attempt to damage a small business and compared it to political intimidation tactics used in communist Cuba. Rodriguez said he would support small businesses and workers regardless of their political affiliation if elected to Congress.

Salazar rejected that characterization and criticized Rodriguez for bringing Jeffries to the bakery, arguing that the visit demonstrated a lack of understanding of the Cuban-American community’s experiences with socialism.

She also accused Rodriguez of using the business as a political prop, leaving its owners to deal with the resulting controversy.

A spokesperson for Jeffries defended the visit, saying the House Democratic leader attended because Rodriguez was a trusted voice in the community. The spokesperson accused Salazar and her supporters of targeting a small business rather than addressing affordability concerns.

The controversy expanded after Salazar visited Vicky Bakery, another Miami-area bakery chain with ties to the same founding family as Cao Bakery but separate ownership. Vicky Bakery also issued a statement opposing socialism after Alvarez linked the two businesses.

Kevin Cooper, chairman of the Miami-Dade Republican Party, said the controversy demonstrated the effectiveness of his party’s messaging linking Democrats to socialism.

The dispute highlights the political sensitivities surrounding Cuban-American identity in South Florida, where opposition to communism remains a significant issue in local and national elections.