• Argentina's President Milei announces WHO withdrawal, following Trump's US exit, citing concerns over pandemic management and organizational independence.
  • The decision faces legal hurdles as critics argue congressional approval is required for withdrawal from WHO commitments.
  • While Argentina's $8M contribution is minimal compared to the US's $950M, the exit raises concerns about a potential domino effect on WHO's global credibility.

Argentina has announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), following the United States' recent exit under President Donald Trump.

The decision, announced by presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, marks a significant shift in Argentina's international health policy and reflects growing skepticism toward global health institutions.

President Javier Milei, a self-proclaimed "anarcho-capitalist" and Trump ally, justified the withdrawal by citing "deep differences" with WHO's management of health issues, particularly its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Milei's administration has characterized the organization as harmful, accusing it of conducting "the largest social-control experiment in history."

However, the withdrawal faces legal challenges. Critics, including international relations professor Juan Gabriel Tokatlian, argue that congressional approval is required since Argentina's WHO membership is enshrined in law.

This development comes amid Milei's broader alignment with Trump's policies, including plans to exit the Paris Agreement and construct a border fence with Bolivia.

The financial impact of Argentina's withdrawal appears minimal, with its $8 million annual contribution paling in comparison to the US's $950 million.

However, health experts worry about the broader implications, particularly as Milei's administration implements aggressive healthcare austerity measures, including the layoff of 1,400 health ministry employees and cuts to vaccine programs.

The decision raises concerns about a potential domino effect, as observers worry that other nations sharing similar political ideologies might follow suit, potentially undermining WHO's credibility as the primary global health body.

Healthcare organizations like NGO Soberanía Sanitaria warn that the exit could impact Argentina's access to essential medical supplies and technologies, despite government assurances to the contrary.

Edited By Annette George