Argentina’s decision arises after US President Donald Trump resumed the United States withdrawal process from WHO (USA)
The Argentine government of Ultraliberal President Javier Milei announced on Wednesday that he will be withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the “deep differences” regarding the management of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the name of national sovereignty.
“The president gave instructions to Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein to remove Argentina from WHO. This decision is based on profound differences with regard to health management, especially during the pandemic, ”said Argentine Presidency spokesman Manuel Adorni.
According to the spokesman, Argentina blames the UN agency and the previous government, led by Alberto Fernández (2019-2023), for the “longest confinement in the history of humanity”, and accused the WHO of being infected by “influence policy of some states ”.
“Argentines will not allow an international organization to intervene in our sovereignty, let alone our health,” said Adorni.
The Argentine spokesman clarified that the South American country does not benefit from WHO financing for health management, “so this measure does not represent a loss of funds for the country and will not affect the quality of services,” he added.
“On the contrary, it gives the country more flexibility to implement policies adapted to the context and interests that Argentina requires, as well as greater resources availability and reaffirms our way to a country with health sovereignty,” said Adorni.
Argentina’s decision arises after US President Donald Trump resumed the United States withdrawal process from WHO.
During his first presidential term, in 2020, Donald Trump had already tried to remove the country from the organization, which he accused of “mismanagement” and being “controlled by China”. However, the successor, Democrat Joe Biden, canceled the withdrawal before it came into force, as a period of one year between the ad and effective withdrawal was mandatory.
Two days after taking office for a second term, on January 20, Trump resumed the process of removing the US from WHO, justifying him with the discrepancy between US and Chinese financial contributions and accused the WHO of WHO “Steal” the US, the main donor of this UN agency, which represents more than 16% of the organization’s budget.
