Argentina's Bold Exit From the W.H.O. Mirrors Trump’s Approach

In a bid to align with Trump's international policy, Argentina's President Javier Milei announces withdrawal from the W.H.O., labeling it a regime responsible for pandemic lockdowns that he considers crimes against humanity.

President Javier Milei of Argentina has made headlines by declaring the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), mirroring the controversial stance of former U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement made on Wednesday, Milei criticized the W.H.O. for its role in supporting pandemic lockdown measures, describing these actions as “one of the most egregious crimes against humanity in history.”

Reiterating his disdain, Milei emphasized that Argentina would no longer be associated with an organization he deemed a “nefarious” force during what he called “the largest social control experiment in history.” The decision comes as a significant pivot for Argentina, with Milei echoing Trump’s earlier withdrawal from the W.H.O. during his presidency—an order that set the tone for Trump's fraught relationship with international alliances from the outset.

Milei, a staunch critic of the W.H.O., had previously expressed his views against the organization in a book he published in 2020. However, the announcement to sever ties with the W.H.O. comes weeks after Trump had made his departure official. Should both nations follow through, they will join Liechtenstein as the only countries not participating in the U.N.'s global health structure.

This move not only signifies Milei's commitment to a confrontational approach in international relations, reminiscent of Trump’s foreign policy, but also raises questions about the future of Argentina's connections with past allies and partners. The withdrawal is indicative of a broader trend where governments leverage populist sentiments and nationalist rhetoric to redefine their roles on the global stage.