Argentina announced on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing "deep differences" with the organization regarding its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government stated that the lockdowns implemented to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 could constitute a crime against humanity.
President Javier Milei instructed Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein to withdraw Argentina's participation from the WHO. The decision is based on "deep differences regarding health management, especially during the pandemic," said presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni.
Adorni added that the WHO's management, "along with the government of Alberto Fernández (2019-2023), led us to the longest confinement in human history and a lack of independence from the political influence of some states." "Argentines will not allow an international organization to intervene in our sovereignty, much less in our health," Adorni stated.
The WHO does not have the authority to force states to comply with any instructions.
Adorni clarified that the South American country does not receive funding from the WHO, "so this measure does not represent a loss of funds or affect the quality of services." "On the contrary, it gives the country more flexibility to implement policies adapted to the context and interests that Argentina requires, as well as greater availability of resources and reaffirms our path towards a country with sovereignty also in health matters," he added.
Shortly after, through a statement, President Milei's office indicated that "today the evidence indicates that the WHO's prescriptions do not work because they are the result of political influence, not based on science," and invited the international community to "rethink why supranational organizations exist." At the same time, it indicated that the quarantine model implemented during the pandemic "could be classified as a crime against humanity."
Wednesday's announcement comes two weeks after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw his country from the WHO, arguing that his country contributed more resources to the organization than China. At the same time, Trump froze US funding for AIDS programs in developing countries.