Before the 16th Century : After an invasion in about the 16th Century, all of the continent belonged to: Spain , and Portugal After 1,824 AD : Republic of Peru , United Provinces of South America, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, Gran Colombia, Trinidad, Free Province of Guayaquil, Chile After 1831 AD: Peru, Argentine Federation, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, Empire of Brazil, Republic Of New Granada, Ecuador After 1858: After 1861: After 1863: After 1886: After 1889: After 1892: After 1902: After 1912: After 1922: After 1931: After 1938: