How Ukraine and Venezuela Look Like the Arab Spring

By Sherry El Kilany On Feb 23, 2014

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

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

Then images of gallant protestors started to appear:

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 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

Embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at a rally of supporters in Caracas

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

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…