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Uribe fails in Colombia term bid Uribe fails in Colombia term bid
(40 minutes later)
Constitutional judges in Colombia have rejected a bid to allow President Alvaro Uribe to stand for a third term in office. The Colombian constitutional court has rejected a referendum which could have led to President Alvaro Uribe running for a third term in office.
The court voted 7-2 against a proposal backed by parliament to hold a referendum on amending the constitution to allow for three terms. The court voted 7-2 against a proposal backed by parliament to hold a vote on amending the constitution to allow for three terms.
Mr Uribe won an amendment in 2005 that let him run for a second term in 2006.Mr Uribe won an amendment in 2005 that let him run for a second term in 2006.
The president had not said he hoped to stand in the 30 May election but analysts expected that he would. The president remains popular in Colombia, but the constitution bars him from being a candidate again.
Mr Uribe remains popular after pursuing aggressive military action against leftist Farc rebels, and no strong challengers to him have emerged. He had not said publicly that he hoped to stand in the 30 May election but analysts expected that he would.
Popular policy After the ruling, Mr Uribe said he accepted and respected the court's decision, which is not subject to appeal.
'Democratic principle'
Alvaro Uribe is a close ally of the US, which has poured many millions of dollars into Colombia to support its fight against drug cartels and the left-wing Farc insurgency.
Last year, Colombia's Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed the proposed amendment on term limits.Last year, Colombia's Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed the proposed amendment on term limits.
We cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard Alvaro UribeColombian President Profile: Alvaro Uribe VelezWe cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard Alvaro UribeColombian President Profile: Alvaro Uribe Velez
"Whoever has been elected president of the republic for two constitutional terms can be elected solely for one other term," it states. But on Friday, lead justice Mauricio Gonzalez announced that the high court rejected the referendum that would have asked voters to amend the constitution.
In his ruling he said the law calling for such a referendum included "substantial violations to the democratic principle."
"It is not a matter of mere... irregularities," he added.
Correspondents say that any candidate chosen to replace the president from among his allies would continue his Democratic Security Policy, the foundation of his popularity.Correspondents say that any candidate chosen to replace the president from among his allies would continue his Democratic Security Policy, the foundation of his popularity.
"Those policies have to be re-elected whatever the decision of the court," Mr Uribe said on Thursday evening."Those policies have to be re-elected whatever the decision of the court," Mr Uribe said on Thursday evening.
"We cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard.""We cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard."
Critics have said that allowing Mr Uribe to stand again might threaten democracy.Critics have said that allowing Mr Uribe to stand again might threaten democracy.
His second term has been marred by scandals over human rights abuses by troops and the illegal wiretapping of his opponents by the state intelligence agency.His second term has been marred by scandals over human rights abuses by troops and the illegal wiretapping of his opponents by the state intelligence agency.
On Wednesday, police re-arrested a cousin and close ally of the president, former senator Mario Uribe Escobar, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged links between politicians and right-wing paramilitary groups.On Wednesday, police re-arrested a cousin and close ally of the president, former senator Mario Uribe Escobar, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged links between politicians and right-wing paramilitary groups.
More than 60 politicians are still in jail in connection with the case known as the "para-political" scandal.More than 60 politicians are still in jail in connection with the case known as the "para-political" scandal.