WHO Chief Rejects US Claims as Washington Completes Withdrawal
GENEVA – The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, sharply refuted accusations leveled by the United States government Saturday as Washington formally completed its withdrawal from the UN health agency. The move, finalized on Thursday, culminates a process initiated a year ago, but is fraught with financial and political complications.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the withdrawal, alleging “numerous failures during the Covid-19 pandemic” and asserting the WHO had acted “repeatedly against the interests of the United States.” They further claimed the agency had “trashed and tarnished” the U.S. and compromised its independence.
Tedros responded directly, dismissing the U.S. rationale as “untrue.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated, “Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the U.S. decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue.” He emphasized the WHO’s consistent respect for the sovereignty of all member states, including the U.S.
The dispute extends beyond accusations of mismanagement during the pandemic. Washington is currently over $260 million in arrears to the WHO, failing to pay assessed dues for 2024 and 2025. The WHO charter stipulates that withdrawing nations must fulfill their financial obligations. The agency has indicated it will address the financial implications of the withdrawal during its Executive Board meeting next month and at the World Health Assembly in May.
Kennedy, in a video posted Friday on X, specifically blamed the WHO for “the Americans who died alone in nursing homes (and) the small businesses that were destroyed by reckless mandates” related to mask-wearing and vaccinations. The WHO countered these claims, stating it recommended, but never mandated, public health measures like masks, vaccines, and lockdowns. “We supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people, but the decisions were theirs,” the agency said in a statement.
The U.S. initially signaled its intent to withdraw under the Trump administration in 2020, citing concerns over the WHO’s handling of the initial COVID-19 outbreak and perceived bias towards China. President Biden paused the withdrawal upon taking office, but the process was ultimately reinstated.
The withdrawal raises significant concerns about global health security. The United States is a major contributor to the WHO’s budget and a key player in international health initiatives. Its absence weakens the agency’s ability to respond effectively to future pandemics and address global health challenges.
“This makes both the U.S. and the world less safe,” Tedros warned. He expressed hope that the U.S. would “return to active participation in WHO in the future,” reiterating the agency’s commitment to achieving “the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.”
The situation underscores the growing tension between national sovereignty and the need for international cooperation in addressing global health crises. The WHO’s future effectiveness will depend, in part, on its ability to navigate these complex political dynamics and maintain the support of its member states.
Published January 25, 2026 09:39 am IST.