Not only was Tunisia second with a return rate of 22.7%, but it was second to Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela. South Africa, Chile and Columbia rounded up the top five respectively.

What struck me as odd wasn’t that Tunisia made the top five. Although it would not count Tunisia as the second best investment opportunity, for an eccentric investor the potential-rich Mediterranean may be great place to put money. What was off the mark, so to speak, was that Venezuela ranked first.

Okay, so clearly The Motley Crew is offering a top five list of nations that may be overlooked, but may end up being quite profitable. But Venezuela?

Maybe that haven’t society that under emerging tyrant Hugo Chavez the country has seen a series of nationalizations, including in the banking sector. Domestic banks are afraid of investing lest comrade Chavez take away their gains. As Venezuela moves into more central planning and authoritarianism, the economy is suffering. Investment is down, inflation up and the windfall provided by high gas prices has evaporated.