In a significant step that reflects a growing trend among some global leaders, the Argentine administration is set to withdraw from the WHO, claiming a need for greater autonomy in health management as a response to perceived failures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei Announces Withdrawal from WHO, Echoing Trump’s Decision
Argentina’s President Javier Milei Announces Withdrawal from WHO, Echoing Trump’s Decision
Argentina’s government, under President Javier Milei, has declared its intent to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO), mirroring a recent move by former U.S. President Trump.
The Argentine government, led by President Javier Milei, has announced its plans to exit the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing fundamental disagreements over health management, particularly concerning the Covid-19 pandemic response. A spokesperson for Milei stated that the WHO's procedures, which advocated for extensive lockdowns without robust scientific evidence, ultimately failed to address global health crises effectively. This announcement follows just weeks after former U.S. President Donald Trump initiated his own withdrawal from the WHO, a move that has sparked admiration from Milei, who has referred to Trump’s electoral comeback as “the greatest political comeback in history.”
In an official statement, the presidential office emphasized that the WHO was set up in 1948 to coordinate responses to global health emergencies but has not lived up to that mission, especially during unprecedented challenges like the pandemic. The statement further criticized the organization's recommendations as heavily influenced by political pressures rather than sound science.
While Argentine media predicts that President Milei will soon sign an executive order to formalize the exit, spokesperson Manuel Adorni stressed that Argentina must have control over its health decisions without international interference. He argued that this move would enhance Argentina's ability to tailor its health policies and manage its resources effectively. Annual membership in the WHO reportedly costs around $10 million for Argentina, a factor that Milei, known for his anarcho-capitalist views, considers significant.
Milei was the first international leader to meet with Trump following the latter's electoral victory, and he voiced strong support for Trump's presidency during a gala at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Journalistic inquiries regarding further withdrawals from international treaties yielded no definitive answers from government officials, as they remain committed to maximizing Argentina's freedoms.
Environmental activists within Argentina have raised concerns that Milei's administration might also initiate a withdrawal from other key agreements, such as the Paris climate accord, which aims to combat climate change by curbing greenhouse gas emissions. The landscape of international relations and domestic policy in Argentina appears poised for considerable transformation under Milei’s leadership, reflecting a broader shift among certain populist leaders around the world.
In an official statement, the presidential office emphasized that the WHO was set up in 1948 to coordinate responses to global health emergencies but has not lived up to that mission, especially during unprecedented challenges like the pandemic. The statement further criticized the organization's recommendations as heavily influenced by political pressures rather than sound science.
While Argentine media predicts that President Milei will soon sign an executive order to formalize the exit, spokesperson Manuel Adorni stressed that Argentina must have control over its health decisions without international interference. He argued that this move would enhance Argentina's ability to tailor its health policies and manage its resources effectively. Annual membership in the WHO reportedly costs around $10 million for Argentina, a factor that Milei, known for his anarcho-capitalist views, considers significant.
Milei was the first international leader to meet with Trump following the latter's electoral victory, and he voiced strong support for Trump's presidency during a gala at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Journalistic inquiries regarding further withdrawals from international treaties yielded no definitive answers from government officials, as they remain committed to maximizing Argentina's freedoms.
Environmental activists within Argentina have raised concerns that Milei's administration might also initiate a withdrawal from other key agreements, such as the Paris climate accord, which aims to combat climate change by curbing greenhouse gas emissions. The landscape of international relations and domestic policy in Argentina appears poised for considerable transformation under Milei’s leadership, reflecting a broader shift among certain populist leaders around the world.
