By Abdullahi Lukman
Argentina has decided to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a spokesperson for President Javier Milei confirmed on Wednesday.
This move mirrors a similar decision made by the United States, which announced its exit from the global health body at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Milei’s administration has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the WHO’s management of the pandemic, with the government arguing that the international organization’s response failed to align with Argentina’s national interests and health priorities.
Spokesperson Manuel Adorni revealed that President Milei has instructed Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein to take the necessary steps to formally withdraw Argentina from the WHO.
The decision underscores Milei’s populist stance, which has emphasized sovereignty and national control over public health matters.
Adorni pointed out that, similar to the U.S. under Trump, the Argentine government fundamentally disagrees with the WHO’s approach to the pandemic.
“We Argentines will not allow an international organization to interfere with our sovereignty, especially in matters of health,” Adorni asserted during a press conference.
The statement reflects Milei’s broader criticism of international bodies that, in his view, impose policies that hinder national decision-making.
In 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Argentina imposed some of the strictest and most extensive measures in the world.
The government introduced prolonged curfews, restricted public gatherings, and limited people’s movements to essential activities such as grocery shopping and medical visits.
While these measures were aimed at controlling the spread of the virus, the Argentine government has since expressed frustration with the lack of consistent global guidance and support from the WHO during this critical period.
The decision to withdraw from the WHO marks a significant turning point in Argentina’s international health relations and highlights the growing skepticism toward global health organizations in some parts of the world.
It also signals Milei’s commitment to his populist agenda, which prioritizes national sovereignty and the protection of Argentina’s public health policies from external influence.
