SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                              --------------------


                                    FORM 6-K

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                    PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2003


                              --------------------

                  BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE EXPORTACIONES, S.A.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

                           LATIN AMERICAN EXPORT BANK
                 (Translation of Registrant's Name into English)

                              --------------------

                        Calle 50 y Aquilino de la Guardia
                                 Apartado 6-1497
                             El Dorado, Panama City
                               Republic of Panama
              (Address of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

                              --------------------

                       (Indicate by check mark whether the
                          registrant files or will file
                          annual reports under cover of
                            Form 20-F or Form 40-F).

                      Form 20-F     x   Form 40-F
                               ---------         ---------

                       (Indicate by check mark whether the
                          registrant by furnishing the
                          information contained in this
                         Form is also thereby furnishing
                                       the
         information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under
                      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).


                            Yes         No x
                               ---------  ---------

             If "Yes" is marked,  indicate below the file assigned to the
        registrant in connection with Rule 12g-3-2(b): 82- ---------


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                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

         May 23, 2003

                                    BANCO LATINOAMERCIANO DE EXPORTACIONES, S.A.


                                                     By:/s/   Pedro Toll
                                                        ------------------------
                                                              Pedro Toll
                                                           General Manager





                                INDEX OF EXHIBITS


Exhibit 99.(I)-     Press  Release,  dated  May 22,  2003,  in  connection  with
                    BLADEX's   Rights   Offering   and  the  related   Form  F-2
                    Registration  Statement  being  declared  effective  by  the
                    Securities and Exchange Commission.