BUENOS AIRES — The president of Argentina has announced the country’s intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing “profound differences” with the international health agency, according to a statement from a presidential spokesperson on Wednesday.
President Javier Milei’s move parallels that of his political ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who initiated a similar withdrawal process when he took office on January 21.
This departure from the WHO will further diminish international collaboration on global health matters, although Argentina was projected to contribute only around $8 million to WHO’s anticipated budget of $6.9 billion for the 2024-2025 period.
According to spokesperson Manuel Adorni, Argentina’s choice stems from “profound differences in health management, particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.” During a news briefing in Buenos Aires, Adorni criticized the WHO’s guidelines from that time, which he claimed resulted in the most extensive lockdown in human history.
Adorni stated that Argentina will not permit any international organization to meddle in its sovereignty, particularly regarding health matters.
The WHO does not possess the power to mandate specific health actions within member countries, and collaboration can often vary, especially in critical health situations like the COVID-19 outbreak.
The WHO has acknowledged Argentina’s announcement and is currently reviewing the situation.
Details on when the withdrawal will take effect have not been clarified by Adorni, who also asserted that political influences from certain countries have compromised WHO’s independence, although he did not specify which nations he was referring to.
As the sole international body designed to coordinate global responses to urgent health crises, the WHO is instrumental during outbreaks of new diseases and ongoing health threats such as Ebola, AIDS, and mpox.
Milei has been vocally critical of the restrictive measures enacted by former President Alberto Fernandez during the pandemic, arguing that these measures were detrimental to the economy and that the government exploited them for “repression.”
In a social media post on X, Milei declared, “LONG LIVE FREEDOM,” while criticizing the U.N. agency’s operations.
According to Adorni, Argentina does not receive financial support from the WHO for health management, and the withdrawal will not impact the quality of health services in the country. He claimed, “On the contrary, it provides more flexibility to implement policies that align with Argentina’s needs.”
Last year, the Milei administration opted not to endorse a WHO framework agreement for pandemic management, citing concerns about national sovereignty.
This announcement regarding the WHO precedes Milei’s upcoming visit to the United States later this month, where his schedule may overlap with the Conservative Political Action Conference summit, bringing together right-wing leaders in Washington. The spokesperson has not confirmed whether Milei will attend or potentially meet with Trump.
