LAS MANOS, Honduras  The ousted president of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, briefly stepped a few feet inside Honduran territory for the first time in nearly a month on Friday afternoon, and he demanded that he be allowed to return to power.

Driving a white Jeep Wrangler north from Nicaragua, Mr. Zelaya arrived at this remote border post, where he was met by throngs of supporters and a couple of dozen soldiers and police officers, who threatened to arrest him if he tried to enter the country.

Mr. Zelaya approached the commanding officer, who stood on the Honduran side of a chain link fence, shook the officer’s hand and then crossed into Honduras. The crowds cheered, and the officers backed away.

Mr. Zelaya labeled the move a triumphant return. The police, however, said he had not officially entered Honduran territory.