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Allowance for credit losses (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of the year	$ 4,841	$ 8,887	$ 13,335
Provision (reversal of provision) for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk	381	(4,046)	(4,448)
Balance at end of the year	$ 5,222	$ 4,841	$ 8,887

X

- Definition

The Bank's management estimate of probable losses on off-balance sheet credit risk items such as: confirmed letters of credit, stand-by letters of credit, guarantees and credit commitments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Reversal of provision for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	blx_ReversalOfProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk
Namespace Prefix:	blx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration