Joseph's announcement leaves three candidates - Chile's Neven Ilic, Dominican Republic's José Joaquín Puello and Brazil's Carlos Nuzman - in the running for the top job at the organisation.

The election is due to be held at the PASO General Assembly in Punta del Este in Uruguay, on April 26.

In a letter addressed to members of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and seen by insidethegames, Joseph, the general secretary of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee, said it was "in our collective best interest to adhere to my original belief that the bigger picture takes precedence".

It suggests he will throw his support behind another candidate in the race.

insidethegames understands he is likely to back Puello because of their Caribbean connection.

"Over the past several weeks and months however, I have met with all of the other candidates and several of our leaders in the Olympic Movement in the Caribbean and the wider Olympic Movement," Joseph, who currently sits on the PASO Executive Committee as third vice-president, wrote.

"I understand the geopolitical realities with which we must inevitably contend and appreciate that the dynamics are such that it would be in our collective best interest to adhere to my original belief that the bigger picture takes precedence.

"I graciously withdraw my candidacy from the contest for the leadership of PASO. 

"I remain committed to the organisation we all hold dear, to the Caribbean and to serving all of you in whatever capacity I am deemed appropriately suited.

"I wish to state here my most sincere gratitude to those who, from the very beginning, have committed your support for my candidacy. 

"I really appreciate this reality.

"I therefore accord the members of our region the fullest respect as we move forward in PASO."

After confirming his candidacy had been submitted before the deadline, Joseph claimed his plans to run again for one of the vice-president positions if he was unsuccessful with his Presidential bid.

He could still be a key player as he is expected to lobby Caribbean members to vote for the candidate he believes should become President.

 Joseph becomes the latest withdrawal in a fascinating race for the PASO Presidency after St Lucian International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Richard Peterkin pulled out last month.

insidethegames revealed in January that Peterkin planned to withdraw and was only launching his application as an insurance policy in case other contenders fell short.

The three candidates left are vying to replace Julio Maglione, the President of PASO since the death of Mexico's Mario Vázquez Raña in February 2015.