Argentina leaves WHO

(MENAFN) Argentina has officially declared its withdrawal from the World health Organization (WHO), citing major policy disagreements, especially in relation to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Javier Milei’s office issued a statement on X on Wednesday, criticizing the WHO for its role in the global health crisis and claiming that the organization “failed its biggest test” during the pandemic. The government pointed to the prolonged lockdowns, which they argued caused one of the worst economic crises in history and led to 130,000 deaths in Argentina alone.

Milei’s spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, emphasized that Argentina would not allow any international organization to intervene in the country's sovereignty, particularly regarding health matters. The withdrawal will not impact national healthcare, as Argentina does not receive WHO funding.

This move aligns with Milei’s strong opposition to lockdowns, which he condemned in 2020, calling them a "crime against humanity." His stance is similar to that of former US President Donald Trump, who also criticized the WHO’s handling of the pandemic and initiated the US's withdrawal in 2020. While Trump's successor, Joe Biden, reversed that decision, Milei's move further reflects global frustration with the WHO's pandemic response.

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