AP Photo
Defying the recommendations of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other international leaders, ousted President Manuel Zelaya stepped across the border into Honduras Friday, vowing to reclaim his post. Wearing his trademark white cowboy hat, Zelaya walked up to a sign reading "Welcome to Honduras" and "smiled to cheering supporters at the remote mountain pass surrounded by banana trees," the Associated Press reports. He stopped a few steps in, however, saying he was in talks with military officials to let him reunite with his family in the country. "I've spoken to the colonel and he told me I could not cross the border," Zelaya said. "I told him I could cross." Meanwhile, Zelaya's supporters clashed with soldiers and police after officials ordered everyone off the streets along the 600-mile border with Nicaragua. International leaders have feared Zelaya's return will lead to bloodshed, but the leader said he had no choice after diplomatic negotiations failed.