US Vice-President Joe Biden made desperate efforts on Thursday to rebuild bridges with Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff as she celebrated inauguration for her second term.

The White House said that Mr Biden had congratulated Ms Rousseff on President Barack Obama’s behalf, adding that both leaders had agreed that the US and Brazil must work together “in equal partnership” on regional and global issues.

Washington is still seeking to repair its relationship with Ms Rousseff following revelations by US National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden that the US had spied on her communications.

Outraged, she cancelled plans to visit Washington for a rare state visit.

President Rousseff announced in her inauguration speech: “In my first term, we overcame extreme poverty, but ending misery is just the beginning.”