John Kerry was in Brazil as part of his first trip to South America as secretary of state. On Tuesday, Kerry continued to face questions over Edward Snowden’s revelations that NSA spying has extended to all of Latin America, with Brazil its biggest target.

Secretary of State John Kerry: “I ask the people of Brazil to stay focused on the important realities of our relationship, the bilateral relations between our countries which continue to go stronger and stronger. Brazil and other countries will understand exactly what we’re doing, why and how, and we will work together to make sure that whatever is done is done in a way that respects our friends and our partners. And that is what we’re going to achieve.”

Brazil continues to demand an explanation from the White House on U.S. spying in Latin America. On Tuesday, Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota said the spying threatens to cast “a shadow of distrust” over U.S.-Brazil relations.