Wed Feb 05 19:49:13 UTC 2025: ## Argentina Pulls Out of World Health Organization, Echoing Trump’s Move

**Buenos Aires, Argentina** – Argentina has announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), mirroring a similar decision by the United States last month. President Javier Milei, who has close ties to former US President Donald Trump, blamed the WHO for exacerbating Argentina’s economic woes during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing its recommendations on physical distancing as a “greatest experiment in social control.”

Milei’s administration issued a strongly worded statement accusing the WHO of causing “one of the greatest economic catastrophes in world history” through its pandemic response. The statement alleges that quarantine measures violated the Rome Statute, constituting crimes against humanity due to their economic impact. The government also questioned the scientific basis of the WHO’s advice, claiming it was politically influenced.

Argentina’s contribution to the WHO’s budget was approximately $8.257 million as of 2024. The withdrawal comes amidst Argentina’s ongoing economic struggles, with poverty rates exceeding 50 percent. Critics argue that the government’s austerity measures, including cuts to social services, have worsened the situation.

Milei, elected in 2023 on a platform of slashing government spending, has described himself as an “anarcho-capitalist.” His decision aligns with Trump’s move to withdraw US funding from the WHO in January, with both leaders expressing similar criticisms of the organization’s handling of the pandemic. The US, the WHO’s largest contributor, providing nearly $1 billion annually, faces potential cuts and service reductions following its withdrawal. The combined withdrawal of these two nations presents a significant challenge to the WHO’s ability to coordinate international public health responses.

Read More