( CNN ) -- Guatemala 's former first lady , who divorced the sitting president in order to run herself for the top post , had her candidacy rejected by the country 's electoral tribunal Wednesday . The decision is a setback for Sandra Torres , who announced her intention to run for president in March , but had been dogged by critics who called her candidacy illegitimate because of a constitutional article that bars relatives of the president from seeking the high office . To get around this law , Torres split from her husband , President Alvaro Colom . Many called the divorce a sham and many individuals , organizations and political parties filed motions to block it , but a judge allowed it . Torres ' party , National Unity of Hope , or UNE , confirmed the disqualification and said they would appeal , the state-run AGN news agency reported . The electoral tribunal rejected Torres ' candidacy due to `` legal fraud , '' stemming from the divorce , AGN reported . The tribunal did not give further details , the agency said .
Sandra Torres divorced the president so she could run for the office . The first lady is a former beauty queen who was elected to Congress in 2000 and has been married three times. The country 's electoral tribunal rejected her candidacy .