Argentina has announced its decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over the agency’s handling of global health matters, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni shared the news, emphasizing that the government had fundamental disagreements with WHO policies, especially regarding pandemic response measures. He stated that Argentina would not permit external organizations to influence national health decisions.
Adorni pointed to the prolonged lockdowns imposed worldwide and accused the WHO of being swayed by political pressures. He argued that the decision to exit the organization would allow Argentina greater flexibility in crafting health policies tailored to its needs and ensure better allocation of resources.
According to WHO records, Argentina contributed approximately $8.75 million in membership fees from 2022 to 2023, representing 0.11% of the organization’s total budget. The country was set to contribute $8.25 million for the 2024–2025 period. However, most of the WHO’s funding comes from voluntary contributions, and Argentina has not made such payments in recent years.
The government clarified that Argentina does not receive direct funding from the WHO, meaning the withdrawal would not result in a financial loss for the country.
A statement from the president’s office further elaborated on the reasoning behind the move, criticizing the WHO for advocating extended quarantines without what it considered sufficient scientific backing. The statement suggested that these measures contributed to economic downturns worldwide.
President Javier Milei, known for his economic austerity policies, has implemented significant budget cuts since taking office in December 2023. His administration aims to eliminate the country’s fiscal deficit, a move that has resulted in increased poverty levels but also led to Argentina’s largest-ever trade surplus in 2024 due to reduced imports and spending.
Milei, a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist, shares ideological similarities with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Following Trump’s lead, Milei has been critical of global institutions and was the first foreign leader to visit Trump after his election victory in November.
The withdrawal from the WHO aligns with Milei’s broader strategy of reducing Argentina’s reliance on international organizations while focusing on domestic policy control.
