BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina has announced plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization, WHO, citing “deep differences regarding health management,” particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move, confirmed by a spokesperson for President Javier Milei on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, aligns Argentina with the United States, which began its own withdrawal from the global health body just weeks ago under President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a news conference, presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni stated that Argentina would no longer tolerate international interference in its health policies.
“We Argentines are not going to allow an international body to interfere with our sovereignty, and even less with our health,” he said.
The decision is largely symbolic in terms of its financial impact.
While the United States contributes nearly 15% of the WHO’s total budget—around $950 million in 2024—Argentina’s annual contribution of roughly $8 million is relatively minor.
However, the move raises broader questions about the WHO’s credibility and whether other nations aligned with Trump’s ideology might follow suit.
A Shared Vision
The announcement underscores the growing political alignment between President Milei and President Trump.
The two leaders have publicly expressed admiration for one another, with Milei calling Trump’s re-election the “greatest political comeback in history.”
Trump, in turn, has referred to Milei as “my favourite president.”
Their shared skepticism of multilateral institutions has been evident in recent months.
President Milei, who describes himself as an “anarcho-capitalist,” has long criticised the WHO, and his decision to leave the organisation gained momentum following Trump’s executive order initiating the US withdrawal.
The Argentinian government argues that exiting the WHO will allow it greater flexibility to implement health policies tailored to national needs and to manage its resources independently.
“The president is very determined when it comes to making Argentina freer,” Adorni said when asked whether the government planned further withdrawals from international agreements.
“Any link that Argentina has with bodies that go against its freedoms, we’re going to do our utmost to prevent them from interfering in the lives of Argentines.”
Wider Implications
The move has raised concerns among some domestic observers, particularly environmental activists, who fear that Milei could also push Argentina to exit the Paris climate agreement.
Trump famously withdrew the US from the accord during his first term, arguing that it placed unfair economic burdens on American industries.
For now, the immediate focus is on Argentina’s exit from the WHO. Argentine media report that President Milei is expected to sign an executive order formalising the decision in the coming days.
The impact on global health governance remains uncertain.
While the WHO can financially withstand Argentina’s departure, its role as the primary international health body could be undermined if more nations decide to follow suit.
