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                      THE LATIN AMERICA EQUITY FUND, INC.

                              466 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                                   16TH FLOOR
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017

                                                                 OCTOBER 8, 2002

DEAR SHAREHOLDER:

    The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is offering to purchase
1,115,689 of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a price equal
to 95% of the net asset value per share determined as of the close of the
regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange on the date the offer
expires (the "Offer").

    The Offer is explained in detail in the enclosed Offer to Purchase and
Letter of Transmittal. If you wish to tender your shares, instructions on how to
tender shares are provided in the enclosed materials. I encourage you to read
these materials carefully before making any decision with respect to the Offer.
Neither the Fund nor its Board of Directors makes any recommendation to any
shareholder whether to tender any or all shares.

    Please note that the Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time
on November 6, 2002, unless extended by the Fund. Questions regarding the Offer
should be directed to Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc., the Information
Agent, at (866) 252-8358.

                                          Sincerely,

                                          /s/ Laurence R. Smith
                                          Laurence R. Smith
                                          Chairman of the Board of Directors