The most powerful and oldest guerrilla group in Latin America has re-launched itself as a political party. However, Colombia’s Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Comun will still be known as the FARC.

The group’s leader Rodrigo Londono announced the party’s new name on Twitter on Thursday evening. Londono, also known as Timoleon Jimenez or Timochenko, said 628 delegates at a week-long congress voted for Common Alternative Revolutionary Force, with 264 for “New Colombia.”

The renamed party will hold a formal launch ceremony on Friday on Bolivar Square, near the presidential palace in Bogota. The new party will compete in next year’s general elections.

Regardless of how many votes they may win, the peace deal signed with the government last year guarantees the FARC five seats in each of the two legislative chambers for two terms.

 
• infographics
 
• road to peace
 
• farc
 
• colombia