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Financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Confirmed letters of credit	$ 106,415	$ 266,547
Stand-by letters of credit and guarantees - Commercial risk	25,167	18,899
Credit commitments	103,294	75,962
Financial Instruments With Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk	$ 234,876	$ 361,408

X

- Definition

It represents the outstanding credit commitments issued by the Bank.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	blx_CreditCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	blx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The total amount of instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk at the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	blx_FinancialInstrumentsWithOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk
Namespace Prefix:	blx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

No authoritative reference available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	blx_StandbyLettersOfCreditAndGuaranteesCommercialRisk
Namespace Prefix:	blx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant