Data map: Argentine President Javier Milley (Photo source: Associated Press)
Argentina’s foreign minister announced on Tuesday that Argentina has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), becoming the latest country to withdraw from the WHO after the United States took the same step earlier this year.
Buenos Aires completes exit after earlier announcement
President Javier Milei’s government first announced its intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization a year ago, accusing the global body of mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic, AFP reported.Argentina’s foreign ministry said the troop withdrawal process has now been completed within the time required by international treaties.Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno confirmed the move in a post on X, saying: “Argentina will continue to promote international cooperation in the field of health through bilateral agreements and regional forums, while fully safeguarding its sovereignty and health policy decision-making capabilities.”
Mire government reiterates criticism of WHO
Mire’s government has been harshly critical of the WHO’s role during the pandemic.Last year, Argentina declared that “the recommendations of the World Health Organization are invalid because they are not based on science but on political interests.”The formal withdrawal underscores President Milley’s tough stance on multilateral institutions and aligns Buenos Aires more closely with the policy direction taken by the United States under President Donald Trump.
The move reflects U.S. withdrawal under Trump
Argentina’s decision comes after the United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization in January.A year ago, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order upon his return to the White House calling for Washington to withdraw from the U.N. health agency.Milley has been seen as a close ally of Trump, and Argentina’s move is likely to draw wider international attention because it reflects Washington’s break with the Geneva-based group.
Why is the World Health Organization important?
According to AFP, the WHO has historically played a central role in major global public health campaigns, including the eradication of smallpox and responses to threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola and tuberculosis.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had earlier expressed concern about the United States withdrawing from the WHO.In January, Tedros said he “deeply regretted” Washington’s withdrawal and warned it would make the United States and the rest of the world less safe.Argentina’s withdrawal now raises new questions about the future of global health coordination, especially as countries continue to debate sovereignty, science and the role of international institutions in dealing with future pandemics.
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