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Allowance for credit losses (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of the year | $ 5,222 blx_ReserveForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | $ 4,841 blx_ReserveForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | $ 8,887 blx_ReserveForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk
Provision (reversal of provision) for losses on off-balance sheet credit risk | 1,627 blx_ReversalOfProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | 381 blx_ReversalOfProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | (4,046)blx_ReversalOfProvisionForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk
Balance at end of the year | $ 6,849 blx_ReserveForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | $ 5,222 blx_ReserveForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk | $ 4,841 blx_ReserveForLossesOnOffBalanceSheetCreditRisk

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- 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

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- 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

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