One funny thing did happen to me while I was there...I was with a friend getting a picture taken by another friend and all of a sudden I felt the arm of another person around my "other" shoulder...and to my surprise there was a local happy as a lark stepping into the picture and grinning as if he had known me for 30 years. Quite hysterical. I have another picture with a local who squatted down and peered thru our knees and was smiling and waved at the camera. 2 totally different people in 2 different photos they seemed to be hams for a photo no matter who was shooting the picture. Can tell you tho, do not EVEN approach the "government building" with a camera...they will treat a camera toting person as if they have a gun...THAT was a bit weird...
Yes, from what I've read, the government is very strict. They keep things nice for the tourists, but the native population hasn't many rights.
I'm still glad the President wasn't killed, of course!