The Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion across the United States, will have immediate ramifications nationwide: Abortion will now be either illegal or heavily restricted in nearly half of the states.

But global political leaders and international reproductive rights groups stressed in their immediate reactions that ripple effects from the decision will be felt around the world and particularly in regions like Latin America and Africa, where contentious fights continue over access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care.

Recent victories in Argentina , Colombia , Ireland , Mexico and Kenya have generated a broad sense of progress for the global reproductive rights movement, adding nations from some of the most conservative corners of the world to the list of roughly 60 countries that have expanded abortion rights over the last three decades.

The United States is now one of just a handful of countries that has drastically restricted the right to abortion over that time span, and is by far the largest and most influential nation to do so. Such a seismic defeat in a country whose legalization of abortion often served as a blueprint for success abroad will likely provide a jolt to conservative political leaders and movements that have sought to further restrict abortion access or reverse recent gains.

The opposition will be emboldened by the Supreme Courts decision, said Giselle Carino, the CEO of Fs Feminista, an international reproductive rights advocacy group. Carino, who is Argentine, helped fight for the passage of legislation legalizing abortion in her native country in 2019.

The regression of rights here in the U.S. will affect our work on everything from comprehensive sexual education to access to abortion care to contraception, Carino said. It will have very difficult consequences for all of us in the Global South. It will make our work much harder.

Heads of state from around the world began weighing in on the decision almost immediately after it was released, with the earliest reactions expressing dismay.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it a big step backwards for the United States, adding that he has always believed in a womans right to choose. Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Friday afternoon to demonstrate against the ruling.

Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, said in a tweet that the decision marked one of the darkest days for womens rights in my lifetime, adding that it will embolden anti-abortion & anti-women forces in other countries too.

Solidarity doesnt feel like enough right now but it is necessary, Sturgeon said .

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the news of the decision horrific.

My heart goes out to the millions of American women who are now set to lose their legal right to an abortion, Trudeau said in a tweet. I cant imagine the fear and anger you are feeling right now.

And French President Emmanuel Macron called abortion a fundamental right for all women that must be protected in a tweet that expressed solidarity with the women whose liberties are being undermined by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Other international lawmakers celebrated the decision, including those from countries where abortion has only recently been legalized.

Without life, there is no liberty, Javier Milei, a conservative Argentine congressman, tweeted Friday, with an image of the Supreme Court decision attached.

Milei is likely to challenge President Alberto Fernandez, who signed legislation legalizing abortion in Argentina in early 2021, in next years presidential election.