Tabaré Vázquez returned to Suarez Residence – Uruguay's White House – on Sunday when he was once again sworn in as president of the South American nation, Agence France-Presse reported. Vázquez had previously held the post from 2005 to 2010.

The cancer doctor has a "more buttoned-down style" than his immediate predecessor, José Mujica, whose legacy includes the legalization of marijuana, gay marriage and abortion. A Mujica ally, Vázquez had defeated opposition challenger Luis Lacalle Pou with 53.6 percent in a Nov. 30, 2014, runoff.

Vázquez called for cooperation among Uruguay's major political forces on issues facing the country upon taking the oath of office before the National Assembly.

"We can and we must analyze and dialogue respectfully together on the different paths to achieve the best public education for our people, to have quality health care for all, dignified housing," he said.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who was scheduled to attend Vázquez's inauguration, canceled his participation because of a cold, according to EFE. The U.S. government was represented by Krysta Harden, the deputy secretary of agriculture.

Biden nevertheless made a congratulatory call to the new president and "applauded Uruguay's active role in international peacekeeping, as well as its principled leadership on regional and global issues," the White House said.

Though they both belong to the center-left Broad Front, Vázquez and Mujica have clashed at times, and the new Uruguayan leader in December announced his Cabinet without consulting his predecessor. During the handover ceremony, the 79-year-old's supporters chanted the outgoing president's nickname, Pepe.

"He's the best president we've ever had," 66-year-old housewife Charo Baroni said. "I'm sorry to see him go. Tabaré is good, too. But Pepe is Pepe."

The new president, meanwhile, pledged to improve public education, health and housing, Fox News Latino noted. On foreign relations, Vázquez struck a concerned tone.

"Seldom in history has humanity been so shaken, so beaten, so overwhelmed as in these times," the 75-year-old noted in his inaugural address. "Violence, fear, terror, intolerance stalk different regions of our planet."

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