How Ukraine and Venezuela Look Like the Arab Spring

Protestors in Venezuela

It’s something we in the Middle East don’t consider foreign, the uprising of citizens against corrupt governments and coups that topple regimes so old and in place no one would have thought possible.

From Tunisia to Egypt then Libya, the world took notice and watched as these countries fought for their liberties, begged for basic human rights and are still fighting to maintain their close call to freedom. Like any bug, the world has caught on and if you’ve been watching the news lately, Venezuela and Ukraine have been the latest to follow suit.

Although there are obvious differences amongst the countries in question, each with varying layers of socio-political complexities, the similarities in timeline are striking and the rise of protests seems to be something we won’t be shaking off soon. Maybe it’s the effect of living in a developing country where your government is run by a mafia and corruption is unavoidable.

 

It started in a square:

Tahrir Square - Egypt
Tahrir Square, Egypt
Same Name different country - Independence sq. Ukraine
Same name, different country – Independence Square, Ukraine
Protestors in Venezuela
Protestors in Venezuela

 

Governments disconnected their citizens from the rest of the world:

At the peak of the revolution Egypt's communication to the rest of the world was disconnected
At the peak of the revolution, Egypt’s communication to the rest of the world was disconnected
Venezuela Internet Disruption
Venezuela Internet Disruption

 

Then images of gallant protestors started to appear:

Protestor in Tunisia
Protestor in Tunisia
Protestors in Libya
Protestors in Libya
Protestor in Kiev
Protestor in Kiev
Supporters of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez riot against police during a protest against Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas
Supporters of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez riot against police during a protest against Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas

 

Then there was violence:

Violence during Egypt's revolution
Violence during Egypt’s revolution
Violence erupts in Venezuela
Violence erupts in Venezuela
Violence in Kiev as protestors try and take over presidential palace
Violence in Kiev as protestors try and take over presidential palace

 

The country splits down pro- and anti-government lines:

Supporters of newly ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich at a rally
Supporters of newly ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich at a rally
Embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at a rally of supporters in Caracas
Embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at a rally of supporters in Caracas
Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi
Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi
An opposition protestor poses over an anti-Maduro painting
An opposition protestor poses over an anti-Maduro mural in Venezuela
An opposition protestor poses with a ripped image of Yanukovych
An opposition protestor poses with a ripped anti-Yanukovych flyer in Ukraine
An opposition protestor poses with an anti-Morsi poster in Egypt
An opposition protestor poses with an anti-Morsi poster in Egypt

 

What’s next?

Well, if Egypt is any indication, we can expect a revolving door of elections, Parliament members and heads of state to follow, as well as a drawn out battle over reforms.

Egypt's revolving door over leaders since the Jan. 25 revolution: Mubarak, Tantawi, Morsi, Mansour, ?
Egypt’s revolving door of leaders since the Jan. 25 revolution: Mubarak, Tantawi, Morsi, Mansour, ?

 

WE SAID THIS: Now the world waits…

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