Zakharova comments on politicians’ names in Peru and Namibia

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova linked politicians’ names echoing Nazi leaders to shortcomings in education and a lack of public condemnation. RIA Novosti reported her Telegram comments on October 10.

Zakharova referred to Hitler Mussolini Simeon Flores winning an election in Queropalca, Peru. She also recalled Namibian politician Adolf Hitler Uunona, who was elected to the Ompundja constituency council in Oshana.

The diplomat viewed the names as a sign of a wider problem and warned about hateful ideology returning through popular culture and public symbols. That is Zakharova’s political assessment rather than an established description of the individuals’ beliefs.

Uunona previously said publicly that he had no connection to Nazi ideology. BBC reported his explanation that his father had chosen the name, probably without understanding its historical significance. Euronews reported that he removed his middle name from official documents in 2025 and continued as Adolf Uunona. The combination cited by Zakharova therefore refers to his former name.