Argentina will follow President Trump’s lead and withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“President (Javier) Milei instructed (foreign minister) Gerardo Werthein to withdraw Argentina’s participation in the World Health Organization,” a presidential spokesperson said at a news conference on Wednesday, according to CNN.
“We Argentinians will not allow an international organization to intervene in our sovereignty, much less in our health,” he added.
ARGENTINA TO EXIT INTERNATIONAL “SOCIALIST” INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING WHO—FOLLOWING TRUMP’S LEAD
The Milei administration is preparing to withdraw from multiple global organizations, calling them “socialist strongholds” that waste millions and offer no benefits to Argentina.… pic.twitter.com/k4WqZ9vYeV
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 5, 2025
Per CNN:
Trump, whom Milei considers an ideological ally, announced on his first day back in the White House in January he is withdrawing the United States from the WHO, drawing criticism from public health experts.
Adorni said Argentina’s decision was based on “profound differences regarding… health management, especially during the pandemic that… led us to the longest lockdown in human history and a lack of independence in the face of the political influence of some states.”
A statement later released from Argentina’s presidential office accused WHO of causing economic damage during the Covid-19 pandemic by “[promoting] endless quarantines.”
ADVERTISEMENT“It is urgent to rethink from the international community why supranational organizations exist, funded by all, that do not meet the objectives for which they were created, engage in international politics, and seek to impose themselves above member countries,” the statement read.
Breaking: @JMilei announced that Argentina
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) February 5, 2025
Following Trump, Javier Milei is withdraws Argentina from the World Health Organisation.
Stating, he’s pulling his country out of “socialist lies,” which also includes the Paris Climate Accords
pic.twitter.com/ve16mZQs4e
— Bernie (@Artemisfornow) February 5, 2025
From the Associated Press:
President Javier Milei’s decision echoes that of his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump, who began the process of pulling the United States out of WHO with an executive order on his first day back in office on Jan. 21.
The loss of another member country will further fracture cooperation in global health, though Argentina was expected to provide only about $8 million to WHO for the agency’s estimated $6.9 billion 2024-2025 budget.
Argentina’s decision is based on “profound differences in health management, especially during the (COVID-19) pandemic,” spokesperson Manuel Adorni told a news conference in Buenos Aires. He said WHO guidelines at the time led to the largest shutdown “in the history of mankind.”
Argentina will not allow an international organization to intervene in its sovereignty “and much less in our health,” he added.
WHO has no authority to compel countries to take specific health actions, and the organization’s guidelines and recommendations, including in health crises like COVID-19, are often disregarded.
WHO said it was looking into Argentina’s announcement.
ADVERTISEMENTAdorni did not say when Milei’s decision would be implemented. He also asserted that WHO lacks independence because of the political influence of some countries, without naming any.
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