Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
Argentina has announced that it is withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing disagreements over the agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some shit you should know before you read: Last month, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the agency’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns over its political independence. The Trump administration accused the WHO of failing to hold China accountable for the initial outbreak and of being influenced by political agendas rather than scientific evidence. In his executive order, Trump also criticized the organization for its broader response to global health crises, arguing that it had not implemented necessary reforms. The US, which contributes approximately 14.4% of WHO’s budget—around $1 billion—will significantly impact the agency’s funding and global health initiatives with its departure.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, President Javier Milei said that Argentina would withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing “profound differences” over health management, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Milei blamed the WHO for promoting lockdowns and quarantines, which he claimed led to severe economic damage, calling them “the greatest experiment in social control in history.” His administration further accused the organization of prioritizing political influence over scientific research, stating, “Today the evidence indicates that the WHO’s recipes do not work because they are the result of political influence, not based on science.”
The government also alleged that WHO-backed lockdowns violated international law, arguing that “quarantines caused one of the greatest economic catastrophes in world history” and suggesting that they constituted crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. Government spokesperson Manuel Adorni framed the decision as a move toward national sovereignty, stating that it would provide “greater flexibility to implement policies” tailored to Argentina’s needs.
With Argentina pulling out of WHO, the organization will lose approximately $8.2 million in contributions from Argentina, a relatively small portion of its $6.9 billion budget. In a brief statement on social media, President Milei said, “LONG LIVE FREEDOM, DAMN IT.”
