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During the Beagle conflict, Argentina had plans to invade Chile. It was called Operation Soberanía, and was scheduled for December 22, 1978. It involved amphibious landings by Argentine naval and marine forces, against Chilean islands in the disputed area, which would be followed up by airstrikes against the Chilean Air Force and a full-scale invasion of Chile to seize Santiago and other major cities. Plans were also made to defend against a Brazilian invasion, as well as a Chilean counter-invasion into Chubut Province. Argentina ultimately wanted to force Chile to concede sovereignty of the disputed islands in the Beagle Channel, and the prepared to annex the islands.

The Chileans, on the other hand, would have been fully aware, as they were keeping a close eye on the Argentine fleet, and deployed their fleet to the area to contest any Argentine landings. Also, the Chileans planned a counter-invasion of Argentina into Tierra del Fuego, with Tierra del Fuego Island as a secondary objective, deployed forces to defend the border, mined areas along the borders with Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru, dynamited some mountain passes, designated highway areas as alternative airstrips, and Pinochet foresaw a long guerrilla campaign against an Argentine occupation.

The plan had to be bumped up a day because of bad weather, and was called off literally six hours before it was to begin due to a storm that delayed the Argentine landing operation long enough for Pope John Paul II to catch wind that something was up. He then told both Argentina and Chile that he was sending a personal envoy to Santiago and Buenos Aires. The operation was called off literally six hours before combat was to begin. The Argentine fleet tasked with capturing the islands had actually already set sail, but turned back.

WI the bad weather that ultimately delayed it long enough for the pope to find out and tell both governments he was sending an envoy never happened, or the Pope didn't find out in time, or it was scheduled for another date, or the Argentines decided to ignore the Pope and press on? What would have been the outcome?
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