Duels were common in much of South America during the 20th century, although generally illegal.
- In Argentina, during the 18th and 19th century, it was common for gauchos—cowboys—to resolve their disputes in a fight using working knives calledfacones. After the turn of the 19th century, when repeating handguns became more widely available, use of the facón as a close-combat weapon declined. Among the gauchos, many continued to wear the knife, though mostly as a tool. However, it was occasionally still used to settle arguments “of honor”. In these situations two adversaries would attack with slashing attacks to the face, stopping when one could no longer see clearly through the blood.
- In Peru there were several high-profile duels by politicians in the early part of the 20th century including one in 1957 involving Fernando Belaúnde Terry, who went on to become President. In 2002 Peruvian independent congressman Eittel Ramos challenged Vice President David Waisman to a duel with pistols, saying the vice president had insulted him. Waisman declined.
- Uruguay decriminalised dueling in 1920, and in that year José Batlle y Ordóñez, a former President ofUruguay, killed Washington Beltran, editor of the newspaper El País, in a formal duel fought with pistols. In 1990 another editor was challenged to a duel by an assistant police chief. Although not forbidden by the government, the duel did not take place. Duelling was once again prohibited in 1992.
- 1952: Chile. Senator, and future President of Chile, Salvador Allende was challenged to a duel by his colleague Raúl Rettig (who later headed a commission investigating human rights violations committed during the 1973–1990 military rule in Chile). Both men agreed to fire one shot at each other, and both fired into the air. At that time, duelling was already illegal in Chile.
- There is a frequently quoted, (albeit dubious), claim that dueling is legal in Paraguay if both parties are blood donors.
