The constitutional court in Colombia has rejected a referendum which could have led to President Alvaro Uribe running for a third term in office.
The court voted 7-2 on Friday against a proposal backed by parliament to hold a vote on amending the constitution to allow for three terms.
The BBC reports Mr Uribe won an amendment in 2005 that let him run for a second term in 2006.
Under the constitution, Mr Uribe is barred from being a candidate again in the 30 May election.
He said he accepted and respected the court's decision, which is not subject to appeal.
Last year, the Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed an amendment on term limits.
But on Friday, lead justice Mauricio Gonzalez announced that the high court rejected the referendum on the issue.
Following the ruling, former Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos confirmed he would run for the presidency to continue Mr Uribe's legacy of security and progress against Farc rebels and drug gangs.
