Fernando Mateo, co-founder of the United Bodegas of America, has walked away from the organization in a dramatic exit over a political endorsement that’s got shop owners buzzing with frustration, as New York Post reports. This isn’t just about sandwiches; it’s about trust, policy, and the future of small businesses.
The crux of the matter is Mateo’s resignation on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, triggered by the group’s president, Radhames Rodriguez, endorsing Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor, a move Mateo calls a betrayal of the organization’s principles and non-profit status.
Let’s rewind to earlier that day, when Rodriguez stood in The Bronx and threw his support behind Mamdani. He hailed the candidate as a defender of struggling New Yorkers, even while acknowledging the group’s reservations about some of Mamdani’s ideas. It’s a curious tightrope walk—praising a man while side-eyeing his policies.
Now, Rodriguez didn’t just stop at compliments; he doubled down on Mamdani’s pledge to slash bureaucratic hurdles for bodegas. “Mandani will cut fines and fees for small businesses in-house, allow businesses to get up and running faster,” Rodriguez declared. Sounds nice, but isn’t it a bit risky to bet on promises when the same candidate’s other plans could hurt the very shops you represent?
Here’s where the plot thickens: over the summer of 2025, the United Bodegas of America voiced serious concerns about Mamdani’s proposal to create city-owned grocery stores in each borough. The fear? These taxpayer-funded competitors could crush the small, family-run shops that are the lifeblood of NYC neighborhoods.
Rodriguez, oddly enough, still opposes those city groceries while endorsing Mamdani, citing a commitment to easing red tape for bodegas. It’s a mixed message that’s left many scratching their heads. How do you back a candidate whose big idea could shutter the corner store?
Enter Fernando Mateo, who isn’t buying any of it. He resigned immediately, claiming Rodriguez’s endorsement not only broke the trust of bodega owners but also violated the group’s non-profit status by diving into political waters. “This was a betrayal,” Mateo told The Post, and you can almost hear the disappointment in his voice.
Mateo isn’t just walking away quietly—he’s set to hold a news conference on Thursday morning, October 30, 2025, to publicly condemn the endorsement. He’s got a bone to pick, and he’s not alone. Reports indicate hundreds of bodega owners have reached out to him, fuming over Rodriguez’s unilateral decision.
Let’s be clear: small businesses like bodegas aren’t just shops; they’re the heartbeat of communities, often run by folks who’ve poured their lives into making ends meet. When Mateo says hundreds are upset, it’s not hard to see why—many feel their voices were ignored in this 11th-hour political play. It’s less about Mamdani and more about being sidelined.
For Mamdani, this endorsement is a timely boost as he fights to keep support among Latino voters. Polls had shown him leading among Hispanic voters, but a recent Suffolk University survey revealed his rival, Andrew Cuomo, edging him out by a slim 39% to 38% margin. This bodega nod could be the spice—jalapeños on the side, perhaps—that he needs.
Still, Mateo argues the United Bodegas of America shouldn’t be playing kingmaker at all. “We are not in any position to endorse anyone,” he insisted to The Post, emphasizing that the group’s role is to highlight concerns, not pick candidates. It’s a fair point—shouldn’t a non-profit stick to advocacy over partisanship?
Critics of the endorsement, including Mateo, worry this move distracts from real issues facing bodegas, like overregulation and economic pressures. If city-owned groceries become reality, many fear their livelihoods could vanish faster than a morning coffee rush. That’s the kind of policy fight that deserves focus, not political pageantry.
Rodriguez’s gamble to back Mamdani, despite internal dissent, raises questions about the direction of the United Bodegas of America. Will this fracture the group’s unity at a time when small businesses need a strong, cohesive voice? It’s a risky roll of the dice for an organization meant to protect its members.
As Mateo steps away and prepares to air his grievances publicly, the bodega community stands at a crossroads. This isn’t just about one endorsement; it’s about who gets to speak for the little guy in a city where progressive policies often clash with practical realities. The fallout from this split could ripple for months.
Ultimately, this saga reminds us that even in the gritty, resilient world of NYC bodegas, politics can sour the sweetest of deals. Whether Mamdani’s promises of less red tape outweigh his controversial grocery plan remains to be seen. For now, the corner store faithful are watching—and they’re not happy.
