Derivative financial instruments - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Derivative financial instruments
Description of duration of hedging, financial assets	6 years

The description of duration of hedging financial assets.

No definition available.

Name:	blx_DescriptionOfDurationOfHedgingFinancialAssets
Namespace Prefix:	blx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration