President Javier Milei of Argentina announced on Wednesday his intention to withdraw the country from the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), aligning his actions with former President Trump’s approach to international norms and alliances.
In a post on X, Mr. Milei criticized the W.H.O. for its role in implementing extensive lockdown measures during the pandemic, referring to them as “one of the most egregious crimes against humanity in history.” He condemned the organization as “the enforcement arm of the largest social control experiment in history.”
Former President Trump previously signed an order to withdraw the United States from the W.H.O., citing similar concerns regarding the agency’s pandemic response. Mr. Milei, who has long criticized the W.H.O. and authored a book on pandemic policies in 2020, decided to withdraw from the organization shortly after Trump made his move.
If both the United States and Argentina proceed with their withdrawals, they will join Liechtenstein as the only U.N. member nations not part of the U.N.’s global health alliance. This shift reflects Mr. Milei’s aim to align Argentina more closely with Trump’s contentious approach to the international landscape, potentially compromising Argentina’s previous relationships with allies.
The Argentine government is also considering a withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the key international treaty on climate change, mirroring recent actions taken by the United States. Mr. Milei has expressed skepticism regarding the science of climate change, similar to Trump’s stance.
After taking office in 2023, Mr. Milei abandoned plans for Argentina to join the BRICS economic alliance, opting instead to strengthen ties with the United States. However, leaving the W.H.O. could have significant implications for Argentina, which is facing substantial international debt. While the U.S. contributes approximately 15% of the W.H.O.'s budget, Argentina’s annual membership fee is significantly smaller, estimated at about $10 million.
Experts have indicated that the benefits of W.H.O. membership, such as tracking outbreaks and disease prevention, far outweigh the costs. Leandro Cahn, director of Fundación Huésped, emphasized that Argentina’s public health challenges will not be resolved by withdrawing from the organization.
Despite remaining a member of the Pan-American Health Organization, which may allow access to discounts on vaccines and medications, the extent of these benefits remains uncertain. Mr. Milei’s administration is also seeking additional support from the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.) amidst a challenging economic climate.
On the global stage, Mr. Milei has positioned himself as a key ally of Mr. Trump, participating in significant events alongside world leaders. Their shared views extend to criticisms of “woke” ideology, which both leaders argue poses a threat to Western society. In a recent speech at the World Economic Forum, Mr. Milei denounced various social movements and policies associated with “wokeness,” leading to significant protests across Argentina.
Both leaders have taken steps to limit gender-neutral language and diversity initiatives within their governments, with Mr. Milei also ramping up rhetoric against immigration. Recent discussions have included new immigration laws and enhanced border security measures, including plans for a barrier along the border with Bolivia.