until 1972, the island was known as cayo blanco del sur. on the occasion of a state visit in june 1972 by erich honecker, fidel castro renamed the island in honour of german communist politician and activist ernst thälmann. according to a newspaper article in "neues deutschland" dated 20 june 1972, the cuban leader announced the renaming of the island, and one of its beaches to playa "república democrática alemana" (, ). east germany's state television newscast, "aktuelle kamera", reported on the ceremony and the unveiling of a bust of ernst thälmann on 18 august 1972 in the presence of the gdr ambassador, some east german delegates, and approximately 100 cuban representatives.