Argentina joins the United States' decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), due to "profound differences" in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, as announced by the government of Javier Milei on Wednesday, February 5. President Milei instructed Chancellor Gerardo Werthein to stop Argentina's participation in the WHO, based on discrepancies especially during the pandemic that led the country to a prolonged lockdown.
Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni stated that the decision is based on avoiding international organizations interfering in Argentine sovereignty, "much less in health matters." Adorni clarified that Argentina does not receive funding from the WHO for healthcare management, so the withdrawal will not affect the funds or the quality of health services in the country.
With this exit, Argentina seeks greater flexibility to implement policies tailored to its needs and to access more resources. Milei's criticisms, associated with Trump, focus on the prolonged lockdown imposed by the previous government of Alberto Fernández and the restrictions that remained in place during 2021.
Argentina's order comes two weeks after Donald Trump signed the withdrawal of the United States from the WHO, arguing that his country contributed more financially than China. However, this measure was not realized following Joe Biden's assumption of power in January 2021.
Internationally, experts have expressed concern about the consequences of these countries' exits from the WHO, noting that it will delay efforts to contain outbreaks of diseases such as the Marburg virus and monkeypox in Africa, as well as other emerging threats globally. The United States has been one of the main donors to the WHO, contributing both financially and with specialized public health personnel.
