Argentina has announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision was officially declared by Presidential Spokesman Manuel Adorni during a press conference in Buenos Aires on February 5, 2025, highlighting a significant shift in the country’s approach to international health governance.
President Javier Milei, known for his libertarian stance and criticism of global bureaucratic systems, has ordered the withdrawal citing “profound differences” with the U.N. health agency, particularly in how it managed the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adorni emphasized that the decision stems from a disagreement with the WHO’s guidelines, which he claims led to “the largest shutdown in the history of mankind,” a reference to Argentina’s stringent lockdown measures under the previous administration.
The Argentine government’s critique extends to the WHO’s perceived lack of independence, accusing the organization of being swayed by the political influences of certain member states. This sentiment aligns with Milei’s broader political agenda of reducing foreign influence on national policy, particularly in areas as crucial as public health. Adorni stressed that Argentina will not allow an international body to intervene in its sovereignty, especially concerning matters of health.
The announcement comes in the wake of the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the WHO, which he enacted on his first day back in office in January 2025.
This parallel action underscores a growing trend among some nations to reassess their roles in international organizations, particularly those perceived as not serving their national interests adequately or infringing upon their sovereignty.
