Argentina announced on Wednesday that it will withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing “deep differences” with the organization regarding health management, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei said his office considered withdrawing from WHO due to concern over the latter’s handling of the pandemic as well as interfering with national sovereignty. Presidential Spokesman Manuel Adorni added that Argentina’s government is not going to allow international institutions to dictate how it manages internal health policies.
As an “anarcho-capitalist” and a die-hard admirer of former United States President Donald Trump, Milei followed the steps of the US. Trump had issued his executive order for the US to withdraw its membership from WHO soon after his inauguration, pillorying the role played by WHO during the pandemic.
This departure leaves a big funding gap because the United States was the biggest contributor to this Geneva-based agency. Argentina’s move may add to concerns about the future of global health initiatives.
Since assuming power in December 2023, Milei has implemented austerity measures that range from cutting public spending all the way to achieve a balanced budget for Argentina. The rise in poverty was sharp enough to offset the record trade surplus reported in 2024, partly on account of reduced imports and government spending.
That made his ties with Trump especially notable when he became the first foreign leader to visit Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in the wake of former president’s 2024 election victory.