CHILE: President Sebastian.........>

EMERGING MARKETS: CHILE: President Sebastian Pinera maintains that he will not

resign in the face of continuing protests across major cities. 

- With protests into 4th week, economy is suffering. Chile has been one of the

most stable economies in region and a haven for foreign investors. 

- Fin Min Briones - only in office since Oct 28, when Pinera reshuffled Cabinet

in attempt to placate protesters - has lowered 2019 real GDP growth forecast

from 2.6% to 2.0-2.2%.

- Antofagasta, the mining giant that owns four copper mines in Chile, has

lowered upper bound of its output guidance by 20k tonnes to between 750-770k

tonnes, from 750k-790k last month. Protesters blocking roads accessing the mines

and damage to infrastructure is spur for revision. 

- Protests have morphed from anger at hikes to public transport costs into

broader resentment at inequality despite years of growth. If sustained it could

become an existential crisis for business-friendly Pinera gov't.