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                                                              Exhibit 99.906CERT

                                                                   EXHIBIT 12(b)

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATIONS

                            SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

         Steven B. Plump, Chief Executive Officer, and Michael A. Pignataro,
Chief Financial Officer, of The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"),
each certify to his knowledge that:

(1)      The Fund's periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended
December 31, 2005 (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Fund.

      /s/ Steven B. Plump                               /s/ Michael A. Pignataro
      -------------------                               ------------------------
      Steven B. Plump                                   Michael A. Pignataro
      Chief Executive Officer                           Chief Financial Officer
      March 9, 2006                                     March 9, 2006

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to the Fund and will be retained by
the Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff
upon request.