I was stuck with exact same problem when changing out my Left Main Lift Cylinder. The solution took me hours to find, but once I found it it was way to easy.

After removing the left license plate light :

The snagging of the emergency release cable did not work, because as I discovered later the plastic cam was broken.

The pushing on the pawl with a screwdriver did not work, as there was no problem with the pneumatic lock system,

I then realized the the Electronic Relay Lock, which energizes and locks the trunk during the travel of the convertible top, was the device causing the trunk to not open.

I removed the RIGHT LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, and simply put a long screwdriver in and to the left and applied minimal pressure to the black plastic piece at the end of the Electronic Lockout Relay Piston. and with almost no effort was able to push it towards car right, and it moved out of the way allowing to trunk to open.

I plan to make a video of this as soon as time allows. It literally takes 3 seconds after you get the light socket out, a good flashlight and a long this screwdriver. This is the same black plastic piece mentioned in one of the "prevent this from happening again" modifications.

If anyone is stuck and needs clearer instructions before I can get the video made, feel free to PM me.

I was dancing a jig in the garage when I finally got the damn trunk opened back up.