Colombia's Constitutional Court has rejected an effort by the country's president, Alvaro Uribe, to extend his time in office.
The court ruled 7-2 on Friday against holding a referendum that would allow Mr. Uribe to run for a third consecutive four-year term.
Following the ruling Mr. Uribe said he respects the court's decision.
The Colombian president, who has been in office since 2002, is one of the country's most popular. He has been a close ally of the United States in the campaign against Colombia's leftist guerrillas.
His re-election in 2006 came after Colombia's Congress amended the constitution to allow him to run for a second term.
The referendum that would have permitted him to run for a third term had also been approved by the congress.
It is widely believed Mr. Uribe would have won the upcoming presidential election, which is to be held in May.