Translation of chantajear

I came on time and two hours later I arrived at Tuxla Gutieres. I was always suspicious here and I never knew whom to trust. Somehow I got to the airport a few hours too early but this is better.
This perilous reaction, due to trivial, conventional thinking of us might lead to direct violence or at least to its support. Furthermore it can destroys one's good intensions and qualities.
On the way we met a nice village girl which tried to sell us some souvenirs. We told her that we would not buy from her. Her English was excellent, and we did not believe that she was twelve years old.