1776Reporting
Argentinian President Javier Milei made headlines on Wednesday with two major policy shifts: pulling Argentina out of the World Health Organization (WHO) and banning hormone therapy for minors.
Milei, a strong supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, cited mismanagement during the COVID-19 pandemic as the key reason for the withdrawal. His government accused the WHO of failing to protect Argentina’s interests, particularly during the prolonged lockdowns under former President Alberto Fernández.
Argentina Cuts Ties with WHO
🚨 ARGENTINA WITHDRAWS FROM THE WHO Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni@madorni
announces Argentina's withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) "This is due to the profound differences in health management, especially regarding the…— In Milei We trust (@InMilei) February 5, 2025
Milei reinforced this stance, criticizing the WHO’s role in global health policies. “We have decided to leave such a harmful organization, which was the executing arm of what was the largest social-control experiment in history,” he said on Instagram.
This move follows Trump’s own withdrawal from the WHO. The former U.S. president had argued that the organization imposed “unfairly onerous payments” on the U.S. while failing in its pandemic response.
Critics quickly condemned Milei’s decision. Gabriel Solano, an Argentine political activist and leader of the Workers’ Party, warned, “With the departure of the WHO, Milei becomes a total Trump stooge. And beware, he is part of an offensive against public health.”
Ban on Hormone Therapy for Minors
Alongside the WHO exit, Milei’s administration announced a major change in Argentina’s gender policies, banning hormone therapy and gender surgery for minors. The government said it will amend Argentina’s gender identity law to “prohibit hormone treatments and body adaptation surgeries for minors under 18 years of age.”
Milei justified the decision by calling the promotion of gender transitions for children a form of abuse. “Gender ideology taken to the extreme and applied to children by force or psychological coercion simply constitutes child abuse,” he stated. “Children do not have the cognitive maturity to make decisions about irreversible processes.”
This policy aligns with Trump’s recent executive order that halted federal funding for gender-affirming medical procedures for minors under 19. Additionally, Milei’s administration has moved to restrict transgender women from being housed in women’s prisons.
A Broader Cultural Shift
Milei has long positioned himself as a fierce opponent of progressive policies. Last year, he banned the use of inclusive language in government communications, arguing that gender-neutral Spanish terms were an ideological imposition. During the World Economic Forum in January, he continued his attacks on progressive movements.
“This forum defends men who dress as women even if they abuse minors. All the lies and progressive madness are over, the world needed a leader who would step forward in the cultural struggle. Do you support these words?” Milei said.
His statements and policies have sparked outrage among human rights organizations and LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that his administration is dismantling protections for marginalized communities.
As Argentina takes a sharp turn under Milei’s leadership, his actions continue to draw both praise from conservative allies and fierce opposition from progressive groups. His alignment with Trump signals a growing global movement against institutions and ideologies he views as threats to national sovereignty and traditional values. Whether these policies strengthen or divide Argentina remains to be seen.
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