Milei follows Trump suit, pulls Argentina out of WHO over 'deep differences'

After United States’ exit from the World Health Organization last month, Argentina on Wednesday announced that it will withdraw from the UN agency, citing “deep differences” over health management.

“President Javier Milei’s decision was based on deep differences regarding health management especially during the (Covid-19) pandemic,” AFP quoted presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni as saying to reporters.

He added that Argentina would not “allow an international body to interfere in our sovereignty.”

Self-declared “anarcho-capitalist” Milei is an avowed fan of US President Donald Trump, who signed an order within hours of his January 20 inauguration for the United States to withdraw from the WHO, which he has also criticised for its handling of the pandemic.

Washington was the biggest contributor to the Geneva-based organisation, which Trump claimed had “ripped us off,” and the US withdrawal could leave global health initiatives short of funding.

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Since taking office in December 2023, Milei has gutted public spending, having vowed to maintain a zero budget deficit after years of overspending.

His austerity measures are estimated to have tipped millions more people into poverty, but the country also recorded its biggest-ever trade surplus in 2024 – partly due to an import and spending slump.

Milei was the first foreign leader to visit Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Florida estate after the Republican’s November US election victory.

With inputs from agencies