On Feb. 5, 2025, Argentina announced that it would leave the World Health Organization (WHO), following the example of the United States after President Donald Trump announced in an Executive Order (EO) on Jan. 20, 2025 that the US would exit and stop supporting the global health agency.1 Similar to the reasons that Trump cited in his EO, a spokesman for Argentine President Javier Milei explained that the decision to exit the WHO was prompted by “deep differences regarding health management, especially during the [COVID-19] pandemic.”2
President Milei Calls WHO “Harmful” as Argentina Announces Withdrawal
President Milei linked his decision to the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as a “caveman quarantine that involved … one of the most outlandish crimes against humanity in history.” He wrote on social media that, “We have decided to leave such a harmful organization, which was the executing arm of what was the largest social-control experiment in history.”3
Spokesman Manuel Adorni explained Argentina would not allow international bodies to interfere with its sovereignty. The pandemic hit Argentina hard, causing around 130,000 deaths, and President Milei’s predecessor, former President Alberto Fernández, faced criticism for plunging the country into a five-month lockdown in 2020. Adorni argued that leaving the WHO would give Argentina greater flexibility to implement policies aligned with its interests and manage its funds as it deemed appropriate.4
Since assuming office, Milei has introduced several austerity measures in the healthcare sector. The most recent of these involved the dismissal of 1,400 employees from the Ministry of Health in January 2025, including 30 percent of the vaccine directorate staff and 40 percent of the team responsible for responding to HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.5
Financial Impact on WHO Following Argentina and U.S. Withdrawals
The government of Argentina argues that the country is involved in numerous organizations that require “millions of dollars in expenses” but provide no benefits to the country. Additionally, they contend that these institutions promote “leftist proposals” that contradict the new foreign policy the administration aims to implement.6
The U.S. is the largest individual contributor to the WHO, providing around $950 million (£760 million) in 2024, which accounts for nearly 15 percent of the total budget. Its withdrawal could create a significant financial challenge for WHO. Argentina contributes approximately $8 million annually.
The larger issue is whether other leaders, who are dissatisfied with the WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and actions that threaten national sovereignty,7 will follow suit and further call into question the credibility of the global health agency.8
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Click here to view References:1 Haslet C. Trump Withdraws US from World Health Organization, finishing what he started. ABC News Jan. 20, 2025.
2 Buschschlüter V, Hughes D. Argentina leader orders WHO exit in move mirroring Trump’s. BBC Feb. 5, 2025.
3 Rogero T et al. Javier Milei announces Argentina to leave World Health Organization. The Guardian Feb. 5, 2025.
4 Le Monde. Argentina announces exit from the World Health Organization. Feb. 5, 2025.
5 Rogero T et al. Javier Milei announces Argentina to leave World Health Organization. The Guardian Feb. 5, 2025.
6 Franco, L. Argentina to exit international institutions in line with Trump’s lead. Buenos Aires Herald Feb. 5, 2025.
7 Fisher BL. Stop the World Health Organization Power Grab to Mandate Vaccines and Censor Free Speech. National Vaccine Information Center Apr. 11, 2024.
8 Buschschlüter V, Hughes D. Argentina leader orders WHO exit in move mirroring Trump’s. BBC Feb. 5, 2025.
4 Responses
Good riddance to an organization that has done NOTHING for world health!
More countries should withdraw this private entity created by individuals with personal agendas not in sync with the values of the people. This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing
The demonic WHO/UN, especially if they would have had their way with the latest treaty China Joe was going to approve- doing an end around the US Senate- would have effectively ended U.S. sovereignty, and given an organization bent on killing and disabling as many as possible, DELIBERATELY, with the Trojan horse Bioweapon shots, full control over all US health decisions in a “pandemic”, or “PLANDEMIC”.
Thank the Almighty for President Trump and MAGA.
The USA was not the biggest financial supporter of the WHO. Bill Gates and his organization were. Glad to see countries leaving this {WHO}re organization.