A local branch of the Cuban-American CAO Bakery & Café, situated in Pinecrest within Miami-Dade County, found itself embroiled in a political controversy following a video posted by Democratic candidate Eliott Rodríguez. The clip, featuring Rodríguez alongside Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a visit to the bakery, stirred political tensions, as reported by NBC6 South Florida.
This incident compelled the bakery's owners to publicly address the situation, emphasizing their opposition to socialism, as the visit became a focal point in the ongoing electoral clash.
Background of the Political Dispute
The visit occurred on Friday, October 16, when Jeffries toured South Florida to support Rodríguez, who is vying for the Congressional District 27 seat. The footage shared by Rodríguez ignited a wave of criticism, accusing the bakery of "supporting socialists" for hosting Democratic leaders.
In light of the backlash, Yvette Rodríguez Cao, a partner and marketing director at the bakery, issued a statement to the community to clarify the establishment's stance.
"I've read your messages and understand why Friday's events upset you. I want to explain what happened," she began in her declaration.
Rodríguez Cao was unequivocal: "Opening our doors was not an endorsement of any candidate, party, or platform."
In an NBC6 interview, she was even more forthright: "We stand for freedom and oppose communism."
She explained that the encounter was initially planned as an informal visit and was unaware of the media attention it would attract.
"On Thursday, a Congressional campaign team contacted us to inform that their Cuban-American candidate would be in the area and asked if he could stop by for a coffee and greet the community," she recounted.
She justified the decision to welcome the visitors, referencing the bakery's commercial nature.
"As a business, we don't discriminate against anyone based on their political views, but at the same time, I had no idea it would turn into a press conference," she asserted.
The statement aimed to draw a line between hosting political figures as customers and providing a venue for campaign activities.
Statements from CAO and Vicky Bakery
Following the surge of criticism, both CAO Bakery and Vicky Bakery—a chain established in 1972 in Hialeah by Cuban exiles Antonio and Gelasia Cao—issued statements condemning socialism.
CAO Bakery reaffirmed its position on Instagram: "CAO supports our Cuban-American community, stands for a free Cuba, and condemns socialism. That will never change."
Rodríguez Cao also invoked her family's history and the Cuban exile experience to convey the establishment's values.
"Our family is here because of everything our parents and grandparents sacrificed to come to this country. We know what they left behind, and everything we've built has been possible thanks to the freedom this country has offered us," she stated.
She emphasized that the bakery's identity is rooted in Cuban traditions and community engagement.
"CAO has always been a place where people chat over coffee, where families gather, and where our traditions remain alive," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Vicky Bakery clarified that it is a legally separate entity with different owners and that the political event did not take place at any of its locations.
The Electoral Battle Between Salazar and Rodríguez
The controversy spilled over into the race for District 27, where Rodríguez seeks to unseat Republican María Elvira Salazar.
The congresswoman shared a photo at Vicky Bakery, accusing the Democrat of bringing "the man who intends to lead the socialists in Congress" to a Cuban bakery.
Rodríguez countered by accusing Salazar of attempting to ruin a small business through social media attacks.
He also circulated images of Salazar interviewing Fidel Castro in the 1990s, while she defended the meeting as part of her journalistic duties.
Approaching Election Day
The controversy erupted with just over two weeks remaining before the November 3 elections. Jeffries visited Miami on October 16, three days ahead of the start of early voting in Miami-Dade.
September polls indicated a nearly tied race, although Salazar held a financial edge with approximately two million dollars available compared to Rodríguez's $661,000.
FAQs on the CAO Bakery Controversy
Why did CAO Bakery face criticism for hosting Democratic leaders?
CAO Bakery faced backlash because Democratic candidate Eliott Rodríguez posted a video of his visit with Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, leading to accusations of supporting socialism.
How did CAO Bakery respond to the controversy?
CAO Bakery issued a statement emphasizing their support for freedom and opposition to communism, clarifying that hosting the leaders was not an endorsement of any political agenda.
What distinction did Rodríguez Cao make regarding the visit?
Rodríguez Cao explained that the visit was intended as an informal stop and not a political event, stressing that the bakery does not discriminate based on political beliefs.