During the era of exploration and colonialism, the group that settled territory mainly along the western coast of South America were the Spaniards. The expansion in this part of the continent was particularly because of Christopher Columbus' first landing on the Caribbean coasts in the late 15th century.
With the motive to extract resources and spread the faith of Christianity, the Spanish invaders took control over the western part of the continent and continued to rule for about three centuries. Therefore, the correct answer is the Spanish.
