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