Coach - Jose Perez - Cuba. PHOTO PROVIDED

The mystery surrounding Cuban Little League coach Jose Perez’ disappearance from the Little League World Series Complex only deepened Monday as he was captured on surveillance camera being picked up in a vehicle and driven away by another person, according to an official familiar with the investigation.

“Jose Perez, a coach with Bayamo, Cuba, at the Little League Baseball World Series, left the Little League International Grove late last night, Saturday, August 19, and did not return,” stated Kevin Fountain, senior director of communications at Little League International.

“Little League International has communicated to all appropriate authorities and will ensure the Bayamo Little League team continues to have the best support and experience while in Williamsport,” Fountain concluded.

Perez voluntarily left the dormitory and got into a vehicle along Route 15 near the complex about 11 p.m., according to an official familiar with the investigation.

Borough police department investigation has information that he left the dormitory, walked toward Route 15 and that information was gleaned from camera footage. The facility has surveillance cameras inside and outside of the complex.

The Cuban Regional Team sits in the stands at Bowman Field before the 2023 Little League Classic Sunday Aug. 20, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Perez may be seeking to remain in the U.S., but U.S. Department of State officials said on background Monday that they won’t comment on “individual visa cases.”

“Visa records are confidential under U.S. law,” a State Department spokesman said on background Monday. “We do not discuss individual visa cases.”

For any questions regarding a change in visa status, those are referred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, he said.

Immigration Customs Enforcement, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security officials said it refers any updates about his status to the State Department.

State police officials told WKOK News Radio and the Daily Item in Sunbury their officers are not involved with any investigation into the disappearance of Perez.

As for competition at the annual tournament, Little League and Cuba are strengthening ties.

The Cuban Baseball Foundation recently signed an agreement to continue its relationship with Little League International through 2025.

Cuba was knocked out of tournament contention after a loss to Panama Sunday.

For years, immigrants from Cuba have arrived in the U.S. without authorization, and without visas. Many of its population have been able to have their status adjusted, so they are lawful immigrants with a path to citizenship, according to Joel Brown, a staff writer at Boston University Today.

The steps to citizenship are outlined by the State Department, which lists them for Cubans seeking American citizenship.

Under President Joe Biden’s administration, the federal government as of May 17, may grant advanced travel authorization to up to 30,000 noncitizens each month.

It is too early to define the missing coach as one who has defected, because of the lack of details.