The 34-year-old videojournalist and photographer, who also worked for other major news organisations, was shot in his car by as-yet-unknown assailants shortly after leaving his home in Aden..

The Inter American Press Association is a non-governmental organisation defending press freedom on the American continent (South, Central and North America) that was founded in 1942 and is based in Miami, US.

“The election of Maria Lorente is a tremendous sign of the recognition of AFP’s work”, said Pierre Ausseill, AFP Director for Latin America, “It is incredibly rare for a member of a global news agency to be represented on the board”.