Learning analytics (LA) is a key research domain within educational technology. This field harnesses data analysis, unlocking tangible advantages for educators and learners. Despite extensive research, geographical disparities in adoption remain, with certain regions still in developing stages. Within this scenario, Latin America has been adopting LA to address specific educational challenges, including reducing quality disparities and dropout rates. However, the region confronts limitations for adoption, such as infrastructure, a lack of widespread data literacy, and regulatory constraints, all of which impede broader implementation. In this context, this special issue, titled "Applications of Learning Analytics in Latin America," intends to present a comprehensive perspective on LA's deployment across the continent, highlighting its current state and potential growth. In this editorial, we curate a selection of relevant papers, each delving into diverse facets of LA's application within Latin American contexts. These papers exemplify practical implementations and discuss the implications and possible future trajectories for LA research, especially tailored for the Latin American academic community.