Argentina has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), completing its exit process one year after President Javier Milei first announced his nation’s intent to leave the global health body.
Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno confirmed on March 17 that Argentina had finalized its withdrawal, a move that takes effect exactly one year following the initial notification. The country communicated this decision through an official note addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General as the depositary of the WHO Constitution, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
The withdrawal follows a statement by President Milei on February 5, 2025, in which he described the WHO as “a nefarious organization” that “served as the enforcing arm of what was the greatest experiment in social control in history.” He also cited the Rome Statute—the treaty that established the International Criminal Court—as justification for Argentina’s departure.
Argentina is now the second nation to exit the WHO, following the United States’ withdrawal under President Donald Trump. Both countries have withdrawn from multiple international organizations, signaling a broader trend of national sovereignty over global institutions.
The Argentine government stated it will continue health cooperation through bilateral agreements and regional forums while maintaining its sovereign authority in health policy decisions.
