Cuban authorities said Wednesday that 10 passengers aboard a Florida-registered boat involved in a shootout with coast guard members were Cubans living in the United States who were trying to enter the island and commit acts of terrorism. 

The Cuban Ministry of the Interior said in a statement that the passengers had assault-style rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices, body armor, telescopic sights, camouflage uniforms, and that most had previous violent criminal records. The investigation remains ongoing.