-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Behind the wheel of a sport utility vehicle , deposed Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya on Thursday started his journey from Managua , Nicaragua , to the country 's border with Honduras . Honduran soldiers block the road at the Honduras-Nicaragua border in Paraiso , Honduras . A caravan of Zelaya supporters and reporters headed north to the city of Esteli , close to the Honduran border . From there , Zelaya would finalize his plans to cross back into Honduras , he said at a news conference before departing . The ousted president stated his intention to return to his homeland this week , raising concerns about increased unrest . The days since the June 28 military-led coup that deposed Zelaya have been marked by mostly peaceful demonstrations by supporters and detractors of the government of interim President Roberto Micheletti . One notable exception was an attempt by Zelaya to return by plane on July 5 , only to be turned away by military vehicles blocking the airport 's runways . One man was killed in clashes between Zelaya supporters and police . When asked about Zelaya 's stated return , U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley called it `` unwise . '' `` Any step that would add to the risk of violence in Honduras or in the area , we think would be unwise , '' Crowley said . Zelaya told reporters he hopes that border guards in Honduras will recognize him as president and commander in chief , and put down their weapons when he attempts to cross as early as Friday . `` We go with a white flag , with a flag of peace , '' Zelaya said . Micheletti 's government , which has vowed to arrest Zelaya on charges of violating the constitution , announced on Thursday a curfew in the border area with Nicaragua from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. , the newspaper La Prensa reported . A less restrictive curfew remained in effect in other parts of the country , the paper said . The backdrop to the tensions following Zelaya 's caravan is a peace agreement offered Wednesday by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias , who mediated two rounds of unsuccessful talks between the two sides . The document , dubbed the San Jose Accord , calls for Zelaya 's return to power , the creation of a unity government , and early elections . The accord was very similar to an original plan suggested by Arias , but with more details and a creation of a truth commission to investigate the events that led to the crisis . It also included a timeline for its implementation , which placed Zelaya back in Honduras by Friday . But Zelaya seemed intent to return on his own timeline , as neither side has signed the agreement . Hopes were slim that the agreement would be signed , as the Zelaya camp publicly said it rejected the document , and Micheletti 's side said it would have to seek approval from the other branches of government before proceeding . The Honduran supreme court has said it would not accept Zelaya 's return under any circumstances . On Thursday , the United States and the Organization of American States expressed support for the San Jose Accord . `` A favorable response to this proposal opens a path of reconciliation , '' OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza said at a news conference in Washington . `` A rejection of this proposal opens a path toward confrontation . And I want to say very frankly , we do n't want a path toward conflict . '' The Honduran political crisis stems from Zelaya 's desire to hold a referendum that could have opened the door to extending term limits by changing the constitution , even though the congress had outlawed the vote and the supreme court ruled it illegal . Zelaya was removed from office June 28 in a military-led coup and replaced by congressional leader Micheletti a few hours later . The coup has drawn international condemnation , including demands by the United Nations General Assembly , the OAS and the European Union that Zelaya be reinstated . Micheletti has steadfastly rejected that a coup took place , saying Zelaya 's removal was a constitutional transfer of power .