In December 1996, the community made an attempt to return to the area, only to be evicted by an armed group composed of the rancher, Sebastiao Alves Marcond es, other landowners, and the mayor. The Guarani Kaiowa of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, have faced constant threat of eviction over the past several years. Their lands are in many cases invaded by ranchers, even though some are legally demarcated. This situation has led to a large amount of deforestation in the area, as well a serious loss of cultural identity and traditional practices. Many Guarani communities, including that of Sucuriy, have lived for years evicted from their land and by the sides of the roads.
Conditions are bleak, and have brought about a high rate of suicide in a few communities.
On March 3, Judge Jean Marcos Ferriera of Campo Grande issued a ruling guaranteeing the Sucuriy community's right to their land, and giving rancher Sebasti o Alves Marcondes 30 days to leave the area . The community returned on March 11, believing in the ruling. On March 12, however, a judge in Sao Paulo overruled the decision, responding to a petition submitted by the rancher. The community i s therefore in a tenuous situation once again, on their land but faced with a real threat of eviction. They could be evicted at any moment.