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Risk management (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Summary quantitative data about entitys exposure to risk [Abstract] |  |  |
Change in interest rate, Increase | +200 bps | +200 bps | +200 bps
Change in interest rate, Decrease | -200 bps | -200 bps | -200 bps
Effect on income, Increase | $ 18,282 | $ 24,603 | $ 18,723
Effect on income,Decrease | $ (8,879) | $ (11,382) | $ (3,480)

X
- Definition The amount of decrease in income due to dncrease the basis points in interest rate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_SensitivityAnalysisDecreasedEffectOnIncome
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The reasonably possible decrease in basis points used in sensitivity analysis to determine the relative effect on income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_SensitivityAnalysisDecrepitationOfDecreaseInBasisPoints
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The reasonably possible Increase in basis points used in sensitivity analysis to determine the relative effect on income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_SensitivityAnalysisDecrepitationOfIncreaseInBasisPoints
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of increase in income due to Increase the basis points in interest rate + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_SensitivityAnalysisIncreasedEffectOnIncome
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | blx_SummaryQuantitativeDataAboutEntitysExposureToRiskAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | blx_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
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