Roof cover jammed - should I dismantle from back or front?

BoilardZ

I feel your pain!
I've had a similar situation, and went in from the back (that is, removing the lid). Removing all the plastics seems like it would be more complicated, and you'd have the possibility of breaking something.
Hardest part about the tonneau lid is getting it all aligned when you put it back. But it's do-able.
Have you confirmed that there's no way to release the latch with the cable. You say the cable missing; is there not even a small bit you can catch with some needle-nose pliers? I seem to recall that there's access to some bits through the back of the trunk, but perhaps I'm not remembering correctly.
Anyway, if all else fails, I'd just remove the 8 bolts for the lid. And then fix whatever's broken so you don't find yourself in this position again!!