Statement re Conversion Announcement

BLACKROCK LATIN AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC                 

            Conversion of 3.5% Unsecured Convertible Bonds due 2015            
                                (the "Bonds")                                  

The Board of BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust PLC announces
that subject to listing under its block listing authority, it today issued
8,035 ordinary shares following the conversion of 79 Bonds. The ordinary shares
will rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares.

Following admission, there will be 39,369,620 ordinary shares in issue,
excluding 2,187,662 ordinary shares held in treasury.

16 October 2013

For further information, please contact:
Barbara Powley
BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited - Company Secretary 

Telephone [phone]