Colombian President Alvaro UribeColombia Election Race Starts, Santos Favored -- Reuters
BOGOTA (Reuters) - The race for Colombia's presidency began Saturday, with former defense minister Juan Manuel Santos the favorite after the South American nation's popular incumbent was blocked from running for a third term.
The Constitutional Court's decision to bar a referendum on re-election heralds an end to President Alvaro Uribe's eight-year rule, during which the U.S. ally beat back left-wing guerrillas, stabilized the economy and drew investors.
With Colombian politics fixated for more than a year on the re-election issue, and polls showing Uribe would have won easily if allowed to run, Friday's ruling represented a starting gun for other presidential aspirants.
"The campaign kicks off," leading daily El Tiempo said.
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More News On Colombia's Presidential Election
Colombian Court Blocks President’s Bid for a Third Term -- New York Times
Colombia court rules out any Uribe bid for third term -- L.A. Times
Uribe's Bid to Seek Third Term Is Rejected -- Wall Street Journal
Colombian president can't run for third term, high court rules -- CNN
Colombia’s Uribe to Retire, Opening Path for Santos -- Business Week/Bloomberg
After eight years, Uribe a fighter until the end -- Reuters
Colombia's president: Third time, unlucky -- The Economist